INDISCRIMINATE CITING OF FILLING STATIONS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS

Stakeholders at a forum in Owerri, Imo State have condemned the indiscriminate citing of filling stations in residential areas. They made their feelings known during a workshop with the theme,

“Strengthening the Roles of Stakeholders in Disaster Management” organized by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA Owerri Operational Office.

The participants noted that building of filling stations should be regulated by relevant authorities as failure to do so was inimical to public safety. The forum also suggested the establishment of free phone lines through which members of the public could call relevant agencies for quick response to disaster.

In one of the lectures entitled “The roles of Stakeholders in Disaster Management”, the Coordinator, Owerri Operational Office of NEMA, Mr. Ugo Evans encouraged major stakeholders to be more proactive on disaster issues. In another lecture, an expert in Disaster Risk Reduction, Mr. Sunday Jackson noted that various governments, organizations and individuals had key roles to play in disaster management.

CHINAZO ILECHUKWU