By John Asiegbu
The people of Umuerim Autonomous Community of Nekede in Owerri West LGA of Imo State, have raised alarm over construction of unauthorized gass plant in the community to prevent loss of lives and property.
The alarm followed quick intervention of Onurube Human Rights Organization, led by Hon. Majorie Ezihie who led journalists and officials of Imo State Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gass Development to the illegal gass plant site on Tuesday, 28th, May, 2024.
Seaking to newamen during the visit, an indigene of the area, pastor Charles Nwaneri, condemned siting such facility in a clustered village like Umugogu, saying that if construction of the gas plant is not stopped, lives and property of the villagers will be at great risk.
He pointed out that family compounds, economic crops, high tension electricity cables as well as kitchens were not far from the gas plant location, adding that any explosion at the facility will cause the entire community to go up in flame in a twinkle of an eye.
He revealed that the facility developer, a stranger, whose identity could not be ascertained at the time of the visit, acquired the proposed gas plant site by lease hold from Ajoku’s family of Umuogu village and had continued to construct plant for about two weeks, despite stiff resistance or opposition by concerned indegenes of the community.
He insisted that the people of Umuerim would not want a repeat of what happenned in Umuoma, Nekede, few years back,where a gass plant explosion wiped out an entire family.
“We do not want to risk our lives because this was how an entire family was consumed by fire ignited by an explosion from an illegal gass plant like this one in our neighbouring community, Umuoma, Nekede”
In the same vein, the coordinator of Onurube Organization, Hon Majorie Ezihie, observed that the distance between the gass plant site and surrounding houses were not up to 20 meters, stating that the plant, if allowed, will constitute not only environmental hazard but also environmental degradation cable of leading to loss of lives and property in the community.
She pointed out that Onurube’s quick intervention was attracted by distress calls from indigenes of the community which led to the involvement of relevant government authorities for the construction to be stopped.
When interrogated by the officials of Imo State Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gass Development, the land leaser, Rev. Cannon Godswill Ajoku, said that the developer informed him that he wanted to construct a gas plant on the land with approval by Umuerim Welfare Association.
When contacted in his palace, HRH Eze Sir, George Agim, the Erim 1 of Umuerim Autonomous Community, called on the government of Imo State, security agencies and relevant authorities to ensure that the will of the people prevailed on the matte since the developer had turned down his invitation to that effect
” What the people condemn should not be allowed to stand. The people are saying they don’t want the illegal gas plant. Who are mine to say no”
Meanwhile, the Imo State Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Development has stopped work at the site, on account of non-government approval for construction of such facility in the community.
