El-Rufai Orders Closure Of Gas Stations In Kaduna

Kaduna state Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has ordered the closure of all gas stations located within residential areas in the state.

The governor, who gave the order on Monday appealed to residents to report such gas outlets to the government for immediate action.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that El-Rufai who visited the scene of Saturday’s gas explosion at Sabon Tasha, Kaduna State said the gas refill stations should relocate to industrial layouts.

This is coming after a gas refilling shop located at densely-populated Sabo community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna state on Saturday, January 4, went up in flames killing people at close range and destroying shops.

“It is most unfortunate that this incident has happened. It is further proof and evidence that this is a high risk activity that should not be allowed to be located in residential areas.

“We will relocate them, we will give them land in industrial areas where adequate precautions to prevent things like this will be put in place.

“But for now, we have to get all these gas refilling plants within the metropolis and towns relocated. We are mapping all of them. For now they are shut down,” he stressed.

The governor advised residents to report anyone found refilling gas within residential areas.

“You should report to Kaduna Environmental Protection Agency (KASUPDA) so that measures can be taken to chase them out.

“While the person might be doing it for money, but you will be the victims. So report to KASUPDA or KEPA or write directly to me. It is my duty to ensure that everyone is safe,“ he said.

He noted that gas refilling is a high-risk activity that should be undertaken only in industrial layouts where all the safety measures can be put in place, NAN reports.