PETROLEUM TANKER ACCIDENT MENACE IN NIGERIA SET TO BE CURTAILED AS MY “PETROLEUM TANKERS SAFETY BILL, 2019 (SB. 145)” PASSES FIRST READING.

Sequel to the increasingly alarming spate of Petroleum Tanker fire incidents in the country, Today, on the floor of the Senate, I sponsored the Petroleum Tankers Safety Bill, 2019 (SB.145) which has successfully passed the First reading.

I also got the express approval of the Senate President to present an urgent motion on the fire incident that occurred at Ochanja market and Omogba residential areas of Onitsha, Anambra on the 16th and 17th of October 2019 after a Petroleum Tanker laden with fuel fell and spilled its content. The tragic fire accident destroyed so many lives, businesses, shops and homes of residents of the area.

Furthermore, I also co-sponsored a motion on the urgent need to monitor the Nigerian flare commercialization programme towards ending Gas flaring by 2020. It is an indisputable fact that Gas flares have been wreaking havoc across oil producing communities since the early 1960s. Gas flaring results in the release of emissions which are harmful to humans, the economy and the environment. The failure of the Government to enforce laws against gas flaring has exposed people living around nearby flare sites to various respiratory disorders, harmed the environment through air pollution, destroyed farmlands, damaged crops and cost the country trillions of Naira in revenues.

It is my expectation that my Petroleum Tankers Safety Bill, 2019 (SB.145) will sail through second reading so as to prevent future occurrences and address this ugly menace that has left so many lives, businesses and properties in unquantifiable ruins.

Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Ubah
Anambra South Senatorial District


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACTvM4KTtuc

Wow! Thats great