The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed deep sorrow over a gas explosion that claimed lives and destroyed properties worth several millions of naira, describing the incident as very sad.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the preliminary and final reports on the cause of the explosion suggested negligence on the part of the gas plant operators and that his administration would take stiffer measures against operators of gas plants and/or any combustible items in the State to avoid future recurrence of such disaster.
He said: “The gas explosion has left a sour taste in my mouth. It is a reminder of the dark episode of March this year at Abule Ado Soba when innocent lives were lost to gas explosions of monumental proportion and properties destroyed. I really can’t believe that we would witness another such incident, no matter how little, I wish to therefore register my heartfelt condolences to the families of those that lost their loved ones in the fire. I pray that God grant their souls eternal rest.”
“The reports I got showed that the explosion could have been avoided if the operators of the gas plant had adhered to safety guidelines. Lives would have been saved and properties too would not have been affected.”
The Governor said, the Lagos State Safety Commission and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency have been notified of the next line of action.
The Governor commended the first responders who acted promptly on the distress call and worked very quickly to contain the fire.
He urged residents to always report any suspicious and harmful activities in their neighbourhood to the appropriate State Government agencies.
Post disaster assessment as announced by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency is still ongoing but report from LASEMA include five Fatalities, eight casualties with major burns, who have been transferred to the Gbagada General Hospital Burns Unit, 25 damaged biuses, 16 Shops were razed by the fire, 1 Private Primary School, 1 Hotel, 3 Vehicles, comprising a pickup truck, tricycle and a motorcycle were affected.
Godwin Udor
