Rivers community rejects location of gas plant in residential area.

The people of Owoloma Community in Rumuigbo ,Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have kicked against the  detrimental siting of gas plant in their domain by one Mr.Celestine Mberi .

The Council of Traditional Rulers of the community  in a letter   signed by the community Head, His Royal Highness ,Billy Wanele Owhonda,and sent to the State Ministry of Environment,Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources,Director of State for Security Services, described the gas installation as very hazardous, deadly and called for immediate halt of the project.

Owhonda said, “the gas plant sited amidst residential houses in a densely populated area which the Owoloma ambience is, is capable of exploding into flames razing down several houses and properties, and destroying innocent lives”

“As we do not want the calamity or such disaster to occur, we are writing now to alert government and the public of the imminent danger which the development and operation of this gas plant at 95 Owoloma Street poses to our community”

“Our entire community are opposed to the sitting of the gas plant in the place aforesaid. And there may be breakdown of law and order if the development continues as our youths are already angry with the situation”

The traditional ruler however urged the State Ministry of Environment  to clarify whether an Environmental Impact Assessment was conducted before the foregoing.

He said, “If the Ministry conducted such assessment, did it grant any permit or licence to  Celestine Mberi to develop the gas plant at No. 95 Owoloma Street? If it did not grant him a permit, it is our view that the Ministry should step in to stop further development of the gas plant”

“On the other hand, if it conducted the requisite Environmental Impact Assessment, and granted such permit,  we humbly request the  revocation of such permit or licence as our community view the sitting of the gas plant in the said area as an attempt to subject the residents to avoidable danger and doom”

Owhonda, urged the relevant authorities to use their  good offices to step in and  immediately halt the development and operation of the gas plant which according to him, portends great  danger to the people.

Meantime,it was  gathered that He (Mberi) who claimed he got approval for such construction from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and other relevant agencies has been pacing up the project.

It was also  reliably gathered from the lawyer to one of the resident of the Community, Dr lucky Nwidu, Angus Chukwuka, that DPR has revoked the license but failed to seal the facility.

The reporter  observed that the State House of Assembly  committee on Petitions have held a hearing on the matter where all the parties were invited both the community, Dr lucky Nwidu and  the developer of the controversial gas plant .

At the hearing, the developer,  Mberi was asked to produce his Environmental impact assessment but he could not ,and the community alleged  that the approvals he got to build the gas plant was got without an environmental impact assessment.

Lawyer  to of Dr lucky Nwidu, Chukwuka lamented ,that the inability of  DPR and the Rivers State Ministries to seal up the site of the gas plant is sending a dangerous signal that the gas plant may be re-approved despite the grave danger it poses.

He alleged  serious indication of mischief and compromise in the way the matter is handled and therefore, called for urgent action to save the lives of Owoloma community.

“If DPR and  law enforcement agencies in Rivers State choose to compromise the interest and safety of  Rivers people by allowing the gas plant to operated in a densely populated area then they should take responsibility for any explosion and health harm that will occur”  Chukwuka warned.