Asaba Residents Petition Oborevwori Over ‘Illegal’ LPG Plant
Residents Raise Alarm Over Safety Risks
TENSION is rising in Asaba, the Delta State capital, following allegations of an illegally sited Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) plant within a densely populated residential area. The management of Infant Jesus Educational Academy, alongside residents of Imade Osazee Street along Infant Jesus Road, has formally petitioned Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, warning that the facility poses a severe threat to lives and property.
According to the petitioners, the LPG plant is being constructed behind an A.A. Rano filling station, dangerously close to homes and the Infant Jesus Educational Academy, a private school that accommodates more than 500 students, many of whom reside in boarding facilities on the premises.
Petition Submitted to Government
The petition, dated 19 January 2026, was submitted through the law firm of P.J. Eleweke and Partners and has been officially acknowledged by the Governor’s Office in Asaba. In the document, the residents and school authorities urged the state government to intervene urgently to prevent what they described as an imminent disaster.
They expressed concern that the siting of the LPG facility violates established safety standards governing gas installations, particularly in residential and educational environments.
Alleged Violation of Safety Regulations
According to the petition, the gas plant is allegedly located less than five metres from residential buildings, including bedrooms, in clear violation of mandatory setback requirements prescribed by law. The petitioners argued that such proximity significantly increases the risk of catastrophic damage in the event of a gas leak, fire, or explosion.
They further alleged that the facility was constructed without the necessary approvals from relevant regulatory agencies, raising questions about compliance with national and state safety guidelines.
Regulatory Intervention and Stop-Work Order
Officials of the Delta State Ministry of Oil and Gas reportedly visited the site following complaints from residents and issued a “stop work” notice, halting construction activities. This intervention, the petitioners said, confirmed their fears that the project may not have met regulatory standards.
The petition also cited findings allegedly attributed to the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), suggesting that the LPG plant was “smuggled” into the petrol station project without proper authorisation.
Threat to School Children
Particular concern was expressed over the safety of pupils at Infant Jesus Educational Academy. The school management warned that the presence of an LPG plant so close to classrooms, dormitories, and staff quarters exposes hundreds of children to unacceptable risk.
They stressed that students, many of whom are minors, would be unable to respond effectively in the event of an emergency, making the location of the facility especially dangerous.
Memories of Past Tragedies
The petitioners referenced the 2025 gas explosion in Agbor, which claimed several lives, noting that the tragedy remains fresh in the collective memory of Deltans. They warned that a similar incident in Asaba could result in far greater casualties due to the density of the population and the presence of a large boarding school.
“This is a ticking time bomb,” the petition read, warning that continued construction could lead to an avoidable tragedy.
Call for Governor’s Intervention
The residents and school authorities appealed directly to Governor Oborevwori to order a comprehensive investigation into the project and enforce a permanent halt to the construction of the LPG plant if found to be illegal.
They said decisive action would reassure the public, uphold safety standards, and demonstrate the government’s commitment to protecting lives.
