El Rufai wields big stick, bans gas refill points in residential areas of Kaduna

Governor Nasir el Rufai of Kaduna State on Monday, proved bookmakers right when he ordered on Monday the closure of all gas refill stations located within residential areas in the state.
Many had predicted el Rufai would wield the big stick after the unfortunate explosion that claimed lives, including one of Nigeria’s finest and head of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Professor Simon Mallam, and one of his children.
The Governor visited to condole with Mallam’s family, and was at a nearby hospital to see some injured persons.
Recall that a gas explosion rocked Sabo Tasha in Chikun Local Government Area, when a gas cylinder was ostensibly been refilled.
Said el Rufai, while visiting the site of the explosion: “It is most unfortunate that this incident has happened. It is further proof and evidence that this is high-risk activity that should not be allowed to be located in residential areas.
“We will relocate them, we will give them land in industrial areas where adequate precautions to prevent things like this will be put in place.
“But for now, we have to get all these gas refilling plants within the metropolis and towns relocated. We are mapping all of them. For now, they are shut down.
“You should report to Kaduna Environmental Protection Agency so that measures can be taken to chase them out.
“While the person might be doing it for money, but you will be the victims. So report to KASUPDA or KEPA or write directly to me. It is my duty to ensure that everyone is safe.
“In residential areas like this, it is not acceptable to have this kind of facility, we have already given directives that all such outlet should be shut down.”