The Director General of the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency, Abbas Idriss, has urged fuel stations in Abuja to obey discharge regulations.
He stated this while reacting to the recent fire outbreak at Conoil filling station, Area 10, on the 10th of December 2022.
In a statement signed by the Head, Public Affairs of the agency, the DG revealed that a task force would be constituted by the administration, to commence strict enforcement of the regulations on content discharge, and safety of life and properties of the people
Idriss also criticized some of the gas stations in the region for lacking first aid supplies and trained staff who could provide first aid until firefighters arrived.
He said “The incessant fire out breaks at filling stations in the FCT is becoming increasingly worrisome. The major cause of the fire is non-adherence to the given time of content discharge, which is preferably early morning or late evening periods.
“Some filling stations also lack adequate fire defence equipment that will serve as first aid before the responders turn up. Some do not have trained safety officers who are supposed to guide the operators at the filling stations “.
The statement also said that the FCTA will meet with the NNPC and other relevant agencies to make sure that the rules are followed. It also asked industry players to follow the rules and only release their contents early in the morning or late at night.
“The FCT Administration will open up discussion with the relevant NNPC Dept, Security Agencies and other relevant Stakeholders to see how we can strengthen the regulations and ensure full compliance of the laws and regulations with the view to saving lives and properties.” The statement read.
