With natural gas supply being returned to communities in the Southeast following last weeks gas line eruption, Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen is thanking local residents, municipal officials and Manitoba Hydro and Gas workers for their response to the emergency.
“Local municipal officials responded very quickly to the emergency to ensure that where there were needs, they were met,” said Goertzen. “Many municipal staff and volunteers worked through the weekend and through the night to ensure people were safe and they deserve our thanks.”
During the weekend and early part of the week, Goertzen visited the Hanover Emergency Command Centre several times, the warming facility in Grunthal and impacted businesses and residents and was in contact with Premier Greg Selinger, Opposition Leader Brian Pallister and officials from TransCanada Pipleline and Manitoba Hydro.
“A lot of people were working in very cold and difficult conditions to get the gas restored as soon as possible. Their efforts can’t be commended enough and many residents asked me to relay their thanks to each of them,” said Goertzen.
Goertzen said that the response by local residents was also incredible.
“People who were without gas service and heat showed just how industrious, and in some cases creative, they can be and were generally able to cope even in extreme weather conditions. As well, residents were quick to help one another which is something we’ve seen time and time again when there is a crisis. When there is a need, people come together to help,” said Goertzen.
Officials from TransCanada Pipeline have said they are not certain at this point of the cause of the explosion and that those answers are likely weeks away.
