Lagos State Government will take stiffer measures against gas plants’ operators in the state, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said on Thursday.
The governor was reacting to the gas station explosion that rocked Baruwa in Ipaja area of the state.
Reacting on the incident, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed deep sorrow over the gas explosion that claimed lives and destroyed properties worth several millions of naira, describing the incident as a sad memory in the life of the administration.
He noted that the preliminary and final reports on the cause of the explosion suggested negligence on the part of the gas plant operators, adding that the state government 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 this morning 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 restated his administration’s commitment to safety of lives and properties of Lagosians by ensuring that operators follow strict regulations in the operations of gas plants.
“On this note, the Lagos State Safety Commission and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency have been notified of the next line of action,” the governor said.
The governor commended the first responders who acted promptly on the distress call and worked very quickly to contain the fire by not allowing the ruins go beyond the level it got to.
Sanwo-Olu enjoined residents to always report any suspicious activities that may be harmful to the citizens in their neighbourhood to the appropriate State Government agencies for preventive measures to be taken.
Post disaster assessment by the Lagos State Emergency Agency (LASEMA) showed that five fatalities and eight casualties with major burns were recorded in the explosion.
The casualties have been transferred to the Gbagada General Hospital Burns Unit.
LASEMA further disclosed that 25 houses were damaged, while 16 lock-up shops, 1 private primary school, 1 hotel, 3 vehicles comprising a pickup truck, tricycle and a motorcycle, were razed by the inferno.
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