The Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, has announced a house-to-house search for operators of unauthorized boreholes in the state.
Dr. Josef Onoh, Chairman of ECTDA, made the disclosure during a visit to the site of the Gas leak fire incident at Caritas University Amorji-Nike, near Emene community, in Enugu East local government area of the state.
Onoh stated that drilling boreholes without the approval of the relevant government agency is an act of economic sabotage, and that the state will now search for warrants of borehole operators in the state.
Onoh said: “The Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority is going to begin intelligent clampdown on more especially along the Oil and Gas pipeline that runs through Enugu state.
“From June, which is next month, this agency will begin to visit house to house inspection together with the ministry of Environment, to clampdown on all the illegal boreholes so as to avert such fire disasters in the state.
“We will not show mercy in the exercise because one is supposed to do a proper geological survey before embarking on any form of excavation or drilling. We shall also prosecute those found guilty.”
On Wednesday, a gas leak caused a fire at Caritas University, which was looking for water through boreholes.
Experts believe it was a natural gas combustion from 1,200 feet below ground that trapped butane and propane.
Emergency response agencies such as the Enugu State and Federal Fire Services, State and National Emergency Management agencies, the ECTDA, and others have been on the scene to ensure that the fire is contained.
