The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has assured residents of the state’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding human lives and public health following the temporary relocation of students of Our Lady of Apostles Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode over suspected methane gas pollution. Governor Abiodun gave the assurance during an on-the-spot assessment of the institution, where he disclosed that preliminary investigations conducted by environmental experts had confirmed the presence of methane gas within the affected area.
Governor Abiodun explained that the decision to temporarily evacuate the students from the premises was taken as a vital precautionary measure to ensure the total safety of students, teachers, and other members of the school community, while technical experts carry out a detailed investigation into the exact source of the contamination. According to the governor, the Ogun State Government, through the Ministries of Environment and Health, is currently working closely with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Department of Geology of Olabisi Onabanjo University to determine the root cause of the incident.
He revealed that incidents of gas pollution had been recorded twice in the school and neighboring institutions, noting that the occurrence followed a similar pattern in at least three schools within the area. He stated, “Twice now, we have recorded cases of pollution in this school and some neighbouring schools. What is interesting is that the gas pollution occurred at about the same time in the affected schools, and this has happened on two separate occasions,”
Abiodun further disclosed that following the first incident, specialized gas analyzers were installed in the affected schools, leading to the confirmation that the gas involved was methane. He added that preliminary findings point to possible geological causes, including fault lines within the affected locations, as a likely explanation for the emissions. He stated, “Preliminary findings suggest there may be geological factors involved, possibly fault lines common to these locations, which could be responsible for the emissions. We are awaiting the final report from the professionals handling the investigation,”
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and ensuring environmental safety across the state, stressing that all necessary measures would be taken to identify the source of the emissions and prevent future occurrences. He also dismissed rumors suggesting that the incidents were deliberately targeted at schools, describing such claims as completely unfounded. He stated, “The students have been moved out temporarily, and until we are satisfied that the environment is completely safe and conducive for learning, they will not return. We will continue to investigate the cause of this situation and take all necessary steps to address it,” The state government has pledged to keep residents informed as investigations progress, while reiterating its determination to guarantee a safe and healthy environment for all citizens.
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