The Ogun State Government has insisted that the recurring gas emissions in parts of Ijebuland will not kill anyone, assuring that affected communities will be relocated if scientific findings establish risk of death or permanent health damage.
The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, gave the assurance on Thursday while featuring on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, monitored by DAILY POST in Abeokuta.
Oresanya spoke following Wednesday’s incident where no fewer than 100 pupils were reportedly hospitalised in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye after inhaling a strange chemical odour.
He said the state has recorded about five incidents since April, adding that the latest was more concerning because it spread to more locations.
“From the first incident till now, we told you the kind of gas it is and that gas will not kill anybody. We told you that. It can be discomforting though,” Oresanya said.
“And up to now, the state government gave the assurance that nobody will die from this gas.”
The commissioner, however, said the government would not hesitate to evacuate affected areas if investigations confirm a serious threat to life.
“All we can do, until we find out that this may kill or affect their health permanently, we may relocate them immediately,” he said.
Oresanya explained that the government is working with scientists and relevant federal agencies, including the NNPC, to determine the source of the emissions before taking a final decision.
“You must have a deep understanding of your problem before you rush into a solution. Why do you want to rush into a wrong solution?” he queried.
According to him, investigations by the Department of Earth Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, and the state government's gas analysis, have identified methane in air samples collected from affected areas.
He said preliminary findings from an aeromagnetic survey showed that Ijebu-Ode sits on a shale formation of about 0 to 150 meters depth capable of producing gas, while the latest incident in Ago-Iwoye, which is on basement complex, was surprising and requires further investigation.
The commissioner said if a shallow reservoir is confirmed, government could depressurise the area by drilling a well at an appropriate location, but a tectonic cause would require federal intervention.
“If it's tectonic, that's a bigger issue. That is going to be something at the federal level that decisions have to be taken and it's beyond us. And that means we have to do something to avoid any form of human catastrophe,” he added.
He maintained that the government was not abandoning affected communities and urged residents to remain calm.
DAILY POST recalls that the recurring emissions started in April when at least 30 students and a teacher were hospitalised at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Ijebu-Ode, followed by over 100 students and teachers on May 15 and 69 students on June 3.
Recurring gas emissions won’t kill anyone - Ogun Govt insists