NIGERIA – Worried by the ecological and health hazard caused to residents of Agbor community, including students of Mary Mount College and environs, Delta State Government has sealed off a gas plant, HANDESKIA Oil and Gas Limited.
The company is situated no Malekwe Street, Boji Boji, Owa, in Ika North East Local Council of the state. The state’s Commissioner for Environment, Chief Godspower Asiuwhu, who gave the order, at the weekend, warned that stiffer sanctions would be meted out on the company should it try to unseal the premises.
Asiuwhu also warned management and members of staff of the affected gas plant to henceforth desist from causing havoc to residents of the host community.
He said the firm’s activities had continued to pose ecological and health threat to the people, especially students of Mary Mount College, Agbor.
The commissioner, who expressed disgust over the unruly behaviour of some members of staff of the gas company, said the state government would no longer condone any attempt by the company to unseal the premises.
He said that a task force would be set up to monitor the activities of the firm after it had been sealed off to ensure it did not return to business.
Also speaking, the council chairman, Victor Ebonka, lamented that despite sealing off the gas company twice, the management had gone back to unseal the premises.
Ebonka said since the activities of the firm were endangering the lives of residents, there was need to seal off the gas company and put a stop to all its activities.
