Kubwa fire: Petroleum agency begins clampdown on illegal operators

By Olayemi Tawakalit Oladipupo

The Zonal Operations Controller, Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Abuja, Roselyn Wilkie, disclosed on Monday that the regulatory body would not rest until it has clamped down on all illegal kerosene operators in the midstream and downstream sector of the oil

He made this known while reacting to the fire incident from a kerosene explosion in Kubwa, Abuja.

On Friday,Nov. 5, a popular Kubwa village market (Maitama Ultra Modern Market) was engulfed by fire as a result of kerosene explosion, which destroyed properties and claimed several lives.

Based on available report, Nine persons died and twelve casualties were recorded from the incident.

Roselyn said, the Agency’s Preliminary Accident Investigation Report on the kerosene tank explosion disclosed that it was as a result of an electronic spark from a nearby transformer and the electronic spark was transmitted through a wire that traversed the DPK surface tank.

“It was also discovered that the DPK surface tank owner was operating illegally, as there is no record from the NMDPRA.

“The Agency will not rest on its part to clampdown on all illegal operators in the midstream and downstream,” she said.

Also, the Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Ramatu Aliyu, during her visit to the scene, had urged FCT residents to report illegal distributors of fuel, kerosene and gas in undesignated areas, to the appropriate authorities.