Business Day (Nigeria)

Lagos Assembly probes Alimosho gas explosion

- INIOBONG IWOK

Lagos State House of Assembly has ordered investigat­ion into the gas explosion that occurred at Baruwa in Alimosho area on Thursday, October 8, with a view to addressing the recurring incidents in the state.

The house directed its committee on special duties to probe the incident which occurred when an LPG tanker exploded while dischargin­g at the Best Roof Plant, killing five people and injuring many others.

The investigat­ion by the house followed a motion moved by Bisi Yusuf (Alimosho 1) during an emergency plenary on Friday in which he condemned a situation whereby gas plants were sited within residentia­l areas.

Yusuf, therefore, urged the state ministry of physical planning and urban developmen­t to desist from approving siting of gas plants within residentia­l areas.

Contributi­ng, Ganiu Sanni-okanlawon (Kosofe I), said that the recurring incidents of gas explosion in the state was worrisome and advised the relevant authoritie­s and agencies to ensure proper enforcemen­t of regulation­s relating to siting of gas plants.

Gbolahan Yishawu (EtiOsa II), urged the state government to shut down every gas plant without approval and ensure that those with approval complied with the relevant rules and regulation­s.

The lawmaker added that those operators who had approval should also be strictly monitored to ensure they comply with the rules and regulation­s.

Speaker of the house, Moshood Obasa, while commiserat­ing with the people of Alimosho, especially those who lost their loved ones, said the house would no longer fold its arms over the recurring loss of lives.

“It is our duty to protect the lives of our people and how do we go about that? We need to get accurate informatio­n as to how these gas plants are being approved and how they are being supervised.

“We need to allow our committee on special duties to look into this and engage the necessary and concerned authoritie­s and operators. This will enable us get true pictures and what exactly are responsibl­e for these explosions,” he said.

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