By Dipo Olowookere
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has blamed negligence for Thursday’s gas explosion in Baruwa, Alimisho Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement this afternoon, the Governor described the incident as unfortunate, saying it “has left a sour taste in my mouth” because it could have been prevented.
According to him, “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.”
Mr Sanwo-Olu restated his administration’s commitment to the safety of lives and properties of Lagosians by ensuring that operators follow strict regulations in the operations of gas plants.
He emphasised that the 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 Lagos State Safety Commission and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency have been notified of the next line of action.
However, Governor 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.
While expressing deep sorrow over the gas explosion, which claimed lives and destroyed properties worth several millions of naira, he commiserated with “the families of those that lost their loved ones in the fire,” praying that “God grants their souls eternal rest.”
In his sober message, the Governor said, “The gas explosion this morning has left a sour taste in my mouth.”
According to him, “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.”
However, he commended the first responders who acted promptly on the distress call and worked very quickly to contain the fire by not allowing the ruins to go beyond the damage it did.
It was gathered that the fire claimed the lives of five persons, burnt eights persons who have been transferred to the Gbagada General Hospital Burns Unit for treatment.
The explosion damaged 25 houses, 16 shops, one private primary school, one hotel, 3 vehicles comprising a pickup truck, tricycle and a motorcycle.
