Ngige pointed out that siting of petrol stations and factories near residential areas posed danger to people’s lives and property.
Ngige
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige has said that factories and petrol stations cited near residential areas would soon be sanctioned by the Federal government.
According to him such establishments posed danger to public health and safety.
The Minister stated this on Friday when he inspected the scene of the Christmas Eve gas plant explosion at the Chicason group of companies headquarters in Nnewi, Anambra state which claimed many lives and property.
Victims of the fire disaster
He expressed shock at the extent of damage there and emphasized that his ministry would ensure reasonable safety measures to forestall recurrence.
The Minister pointed out that siting of petrol stations and factories near residential areas posed danger to people’s lives and property.
He sympathized with Chicason Group and the families of those who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate incident.
He also disclosed that his ministry would send Health Inspectors to the company to certify the health safety environment of the establishment.
He directed the officers in his ministry to liaise with the management of Chicason group and compile comprehensive information about the damage caused by the gas plant explosion in order to enable the Federal Government to make an informed pronouncement on the incident.
He directed companies in the country to register with the National Social Insurance Trust Fund which the minister said had the backing of the Federal Government in risk management and compensations.
Ngige added that the department of Industrial safety in the ministry of labour and employment would strengthen for more efficiency.
From Chuks Collins, Awka