Ogun reads riot act as another gas explosion kills one at Obasanjo’s Library

Kayode Fasua in Abeokuta

One person was confirmed dead, while another was seriously injured when gas exploded yesterday at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

A statement by the Managing Director of OOPL, Mr. Vitalese Ortese, confirmed the incident.

However, the Ogun State Government also yesterday talked tough, warning that it would descend heavily on those selling adulterated gas products, in view of four similar events that occurred recently.

Ortese in his statement said, “The management of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library wishes to confirm that there was indeed a gas explosion today, at the main event Marquee of the complex in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

“The explosion emanated when a pair of technical vendors were conducting routine servicing of the air conditioning units.

“There have been reports of similar incidents across the state in the last one week, which calls for investigation by the appropriate authorities.

“The explosion, which occurred at about 11.04 am, unfortunately, led to the death of a technical vendor and serious injury of the second vendor.”

He added that the emergency team of the Library immediately took action to prevent further damages and subsequently moved the injured to the hospital.

According to him, visitors into the complex were temporarily limited to contain any fallout from the explosion.

He assured that all visitors to the library, guests at the Green Legacy Resort, the pupils at the CCGK nursery and primary school, clients at the cultural villages, and staff present on the premises at the time of the incident were safe.

Meanwhile, Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, yesterday warned that anyone found guilty of selling adulterated gas products or violating safety protocols in the state would be visited with the full weight of the law.

The governor gave the warning in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kunle Somorin, in Abeokuta, after a fourth gas explosion was reported in the state.

According to the statement, law enforcement officers, urban and planning managers and environmental safety personnel have been directed to move round all the noonks and crannies of the state, to investigate and bring to book, those found culpable of any sharp practices or carelessness that could have caused these gas explosions.

The governor also warned business owners against violating safety protocols guiding the siting of businesses in residential areas as they would be prosecuted if caught.