NOA Cautions Against Fuel Scooping, Gas Outlets in Residential Areas
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Akwa Ibom State has expressed concerns about the rising incidents of fuel tanker accidents, urging residents to take precautionary measures to avoid such accidents, especially since the state has yet to experience any.
NOA has particularly warned against the dangerous practice of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, pointing to the recent spate of explosions linked to such incidents that have led to the loss of lives.
Speaking to journalists at the Correspondents’ Arena of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Akwa Ibom, NOA Director Mr. Mkpoutom Mkpoutom emphasized that while the state has not witnessed these kinds of accidents, residents should remain cautious. He also attributed some accidents to drunk driving and called on road safety officials to heighten enforcement of traffic laws.
Addressing the issue of fuel scooping, Mkpoutom criticized the reckless behavior of some residents who risk their lives to collect fuel from fallen tankers. He reminded them of the deadly consequences that have occurred in other states due to similar incidents, urging people to recognize the dangers posed by highly flammable Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
In addition to the fuel safety warning, the agency launched a mass sensitization campaign aimed at preventing cholera outbreaks. The recent cholera epidemic in the Emeroke community of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area, which resulted in the deaths of several people, including children and an elderly woman, served as a wake-up call. Mkpoutom called on residents to adopt higher levels of hygiene to curb the spread of the disease.
The NOA also condemned the practice of locating commercial Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or cooking gas outlets within residential buildings, citing the recent gas explosions in the state as a major safety concern.
Mkpoutom explained that the agency’s awareness campaign was crucial in preventing avoidable fatalities. He also appealed to residents, especially in coastal communities, to avoid the harmful practice of open defecation into water bodies, which can spread diseases. He highlighted the importance of constructing proper toilets and boreholes to prevent contamination of water sources, which are often used for transportation and can carry disease particles to other areas.
The NOA director urged rural communities to take action by ensuring proper sanitation and water management practices to protect public health.
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