Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has ordered the closure of all gas refill stations located within residential areas in the state.
Mr El-Rufai gave the order on Monday during a visit to the scene of Saturday’s gas explosion at Sabon Tasha, Kaduna.
He appealed to residents to report such gas outlets to government for immediate action, adding that gas refill stations should be situated at industrial layouts.
“It is most unfortunate that this incident has happened. It is further proof and evidence that this is a high-risk activity that should not be allowed to be located in residential areas,” he said.
“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.”
The governor paid a condolence visit to the family of Prof. Simon Mallam, chairman of the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission, who died in the incident and also visited victims of the gas explosion receiving treatment at St Gerald hospital, Kaduna.
