Osere residents cry out over siting of gas plant in Community

By Mike Adeyemi
Residents of Osere in Ilorin, Kwara State have raised alarm over the siting of a gas plant in the area.
Cross section of residents who spoke to National Pilot on the development at the weekend, noted the impending danger in siting the gas plant in a densely populated residential area.
Speaking to our reporter, a resident, Alhaji Oseni Magaji berated the Kwara State Government for granting licence for the establishment of the gas plant within the community.
“It is sad to see that in this part of the world that we don’t put lives into consideration while doing our businesses. How would a government in a sane clime give approval for the siting of a gas station in a residential area like this.
“This shows that we don’t have good government in the state. When we noticed the construction of the plant, we challenged the owner and he told us that due process was followed.
“He claimed gotten approval from the Kwara State Government and that he had been certified. With this the community could not institute legal action against him.
In the same vein, another resident, Tajudeen Ibrahim criticised the state government for granting approval for the siting of the gas station in the area.
“It is barbaric that we don’t put others’ welfare into consideration when taking actions. The siting of a gas plant poses danger to residents in this community. The devastating impact of gas explosion is best imagined.
“The state Government should halt the construction of the gas plant with immediate effect and compel all gas companies to relocate to the outskirts of the city to save residents from calamities,” Ibrahim stressed.
A trader in the area, Mrs. Sidiqat Atere described the issuance of licence to the owner to site a gas plant in the community as government’s insensitivity to wellbeing of citizens.
“When will we begin to value human lives in this country? When would we begin to take necessary safety measures and prevent construction of filling stations and gas plants in residential areas,” she queried.
Atere added that allowing a gas plant sited in a densely populated area is like a time bomb waiting to explode or sitting on a gun powder.
When contacted the owner of the gas plant who refused to reveal his identity to our reporter, only showed him the legal documents issued to him by the state government.
Recall that there was an explosion on Thursday rocked Lagos as a gas station in Baruwa area of Ipaja claimed 8 lives, razed 25 houses, 16 lock-up shops, according to Lagos State Emergency Agency (LASEMA).