The Delta State Government has taken decisive action by sealing an alleged illegal Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) plant under construction in Asaba. The move, executed on Wednesday, 14th January 2026, was prompted by serious safety concerns raised by residents and clear violations of regulatory protocols.
Residents' Petition Triggers Government Action
The crackdown began after residents of Imade Osazee Street, off Infant Jesus Road, filed a formal petition to the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in Abuja. They described the siting of the LPG facility directly beside residential buildings as both unlawful and dangerously reckless.
Following the petition, the State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Chief Peter Uviejitobor, summoned the management of A.A. Rano Nigeria Limited to his office in Asaba. He ordered an immediate halt to all construction activities at the site. A source within the ministry confirmed to The Guardian that the project was stopped primarily because it lacked the mandatory governor’s consent.
A Disaster Waiting to Happen
When officials visited, the site was already sealed with a clear notice: “Stop work. Development/construction without governor’s consent.” Residents revealed the plant was at an advanced stage, heightening fears of a potential catastrophe. They pointed to the recent deadly LPG explosion in Agbor, Ika South Local Council, as a grim reminder of the risks posed by poorly located gas facilities.
In their petition, the residents' solicitors, PJ Eleweke and Partners, argued the project violated statutory safety standards. They stated the LPG plant, being built behind an A.A. Rano filling station, was constructed “simultaneously and without taking cognisance of the required setback as provided by law.” Shockingly, the structure was reportedly less than five metres from the bedrooms of neighbouring homes.
The petition also contained a serious allegation: an engineer at the site claimed the facility's owner was “influential” and had allegedly “settled all regulatory authorities,” implying the project was untouchable. Residents insisted such a facility in a densely populated area could never legitimately qualify for approval, labelling it an “impending time bomb.”
Proximity to School Raises Alarm
A resident, speaking anonymously, highlighted the compounded danger due to the facility's proximity to Infant Jesus Schools, which hosts many students, including boarders. “It is inherently dangerous to build such facilities in a residential area, more so directly opposite a major public school of this magnitude,” the resident stated.
The petition was copied to several high-ranking officials, including Delta State Governor, the Chief Executive of NMDPRA Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, the Commissioners for Oil and Gas and Environment, the Asaba Capital Territory Development Agency, and the Oshimili South Local Council Chairman.
Company Claims It Had Approval
In a contrasting reaction, a top management staff member of A.A. Rano Nigeria Limited, who asked not to be named, insisted the company had secured proper approval for the project. The official cited an approval reference: Approved site/ ATC; NMDPRA/ RON/ DE/LTC.142771, issued in the company's name.
Despite this claim, the Delta State Government's enforcement action underscores its commitment to public safety and regulatory compliance, preventing a potential disaster in the heart of Asaba.
