Yemen Observer: http://www.yobserver.com
Posted in:
Local News
Written By: Abdul-Qawi Dahan
Article Date: Jul 15, 2008 - 3:05:59 AM
A report issued by the Corporative Association and Environment (CAE) warns gas agents about the increase in gas-bottle explosions in Ibb.
According to the report sent to the Governor of Ibb, the local council statistics state that the size of the explosions is increasing, indicating that five houses were blasted with estimated damages of YR 7 million, two cafés with losses of YR 28,000, and two restaurants with estimated losses of YR 5 million during the last three years.
The CAE report warns gas-sale agents to immediately rectify this safety hazard, but has received no response thus far from the gas distribution industry.
The report added that “several owners of gas-sale stations in the governorate refused to supply instructions and charts with gas bottles, and they refused to change broken valves and to get rid of broken bottles.” Broken bottles and valves are essentially time-bombs if subjected to continued use.
Additionally the report identifies bottles made in China as lacking standard safety and security features.
Nevertheless, these bottles were all imported to Yemen legally.
Finally the report stressed that the indifferent to and negligence of this issue devastates innocent lives. It demanded the Yemeni Company for Gas, to maintain higher safety and maintenance standards. It also required that the local council take up its responsibility to keep innocent people safe and secure.