A resident of Tirwun community in the Bauchi metropolis and traditional title holder in the Bauchi emirate Dr Hayatu Mustapha has refuted the claims by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) that a gas plant under construction at the area is safe and poses no danger to the residents.
Recall that the Comptroller of DPR Bauchi field office Abdullahi Iliyasu last week asserted that the department had conducted an environmental impact assessment of the gas station and found it safe for the residents.
The DPR Comptroller further stated that the gas plant under construction is about 70 meters away from residences and mosque in the which he noted is even above the required distance of 50 meters recommended by the department.
But in a swift reaction via a press release, the traditional title holder debunked the claims by the Department of Petroleum Resources alleging that sincere assessment was not conducted at the site.
“May we know which measurement system he is using as International System of Units (SI), the modern form of the metric system, the British imperial system, and the United States customary system which will all not arrive at 70 meters.
“What is the procedure for Environmental Impact Assessment and have same been displayed openly to the public as the immediate host community and environ is completely not privy to this information.
“Why have gas plants continued to be razed down by the day despite the so to say assurances? He queried.
Buttressing his points, Hayatu claimed that the distance between the plant to Babangida Opel Villa is just 5.6 Meters (19 feets), distance between the gas plant and Alhaji Hamza’s Block Factory located in the area is less than 1 meter.
He adds that “the distance between the Plant and Dr Isah’s building is 26.9 meters. The distance between the gas Plant and Hajiya Fatimah’s building is less than 1 meter. The distance between Abdulmalik Sale Yalwaji’s building and the plant is 7 meters.
“The distance between Dr Kawule Tijjani’s building behind Hajiya Fatimah is 8 meters. The distance between Saidu Hayatu Dukku’ building and the plant is 7 metres”. He pointed out
While according to the traditional title holder, the distance between the gas plant and his residence is 49 meters only as against the minimum required distance of 50 meters.
“Finally our position remains that the distance between the gas plant and the mosque as well as the surrounding properties does not meet standard regulatory guidelines for establishment of a gas plant. As such, the plant should be relocated forthwith to a safer environment where all requirements would be met”. He entreated.