The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed deep sorrow over the Thursday morning gas explosion that claimed five lives and destroyed properties worth several millions of naira.
The governor described the incident as a sad memory in the life of the administration.
In the words of Sanwo-Olu, preliminary and final reports on the cause of the explosion suggested negligence on the part of the gas plant operators.
He further warned 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 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.”
While registering his heartfelt condolences to the families of those that lost their loved ones in the fire, the governor prayed that God would 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 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 by not allowing the ruins go beyond what we currently have.
Sanwo-Olu, therefore, 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.
