To avert Explosion: Ebonyi seals over 15 illegal gas stations.

Following the directive of the State Governor, Chief David Umahi to seal gas stations, Ebonyi State government has sealed over 15 illegal gas stations and outlets in Abakaliki, the state capital.

Recall that the governor on Wednesday through a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, said the decision to shutdown the stations became imperative to forestall possible outbreak of fire incidents in the state.

The Governor constituted a task force to that effect who went round the state capital and implemented the directive.

Speaking after the Exercise, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Petroleum, Mr Basil Chima said the State government had mapped out land for gas stations but the operators have refused to move to the sight.

He said that only one station in the city has all the approvals and licences to operate in the state.

Chairman of Abakaliki Capital Territory Development Board (ATDB),Dr Uche Onwe Basil said the State government cannot afford to seat and watch the state destroyed by carelessness of the operators who have continued to build the stations close to residential areas.

"The state capital today has been transformed into one of the most beautiful cities in the country and we cannot allow it to be put into danger"

Commissioner for Internal Security and Border peace, Mr Stanley Okoro said the the stations will remain closed till they upgrade their facilities to the standard required.

"To have approval (to build) is different from license to sell from DPR. We have sealed them before but how they managed to reopen is what I don't know", he said

Members of the task force include the Commissioner for Internal Security, Stanley Okoro Emegha, the Special Adviser on Petroleum, Basil Chima and Chairman of the Abakaliki Capital Territory Developmental Board (ACTDB), Dr Uche Onwe Basil.