The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, has mandated Lagosians to demand for environmental Impact Assessment certificate when gas or petrol stations are sited in residential areas.
General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Dolapo Fasewa gave the mandate in an exclusive interview while appraising the explosion from a gas station in Baruwa under Ayobo-Ipaja Council Development Area.
While commiserating with the families of the victims in the explosion, she reiterated the commitment of the Government to protecting the people from indiscriminate exposure to environmental hazards.
Dr. Fasewa who admitted that the loss of lives and properties occasioned by the explosion was avoidable, urged gas storage facility managers and users to ensure regular integrity test on all gas storage tanks and cylinders.
Dr. Fasawe urged Lagos residents to promptly report violation of environmental laws and regulations in their areas through the LASEPA Website, assuring that the agency would continue periodic environmental management assessment of approved ones to prevent disaster.
She warned that facilities that have storage tanks for petroleum gas must apply for assessment and accreditation by LASEPA annually including cooking gas sellers or risk prosecution in accordance with the agency’s law.
Modupe Arotolu
