The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, receives with sadness the news of pipeline explosion around Abule Ado in Amuwa Odofin LGA of Lagos State, which affected the residents of Ijegun, Ikotun, Egbeda, Abule Ado, Okotaa, Isheri Olofin, Festac and Satellite Towns.
On receiving the news of the explosion, the Ministry through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) activated the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other local emergency services at the scene, with a view to rendering any assistance and disaster management expertise that may be required.
While this industrial disaster is very unfortunate, the Minister is pleased with the rapid response by the emergency services around Badagry and FESTAC town, as well as some emergency services belonging to some banks.
The Minister noted that, when disaster strikes, all national, sub-national and private assets should be utilized as demonstrated in the case of this explosion to ensure an effective, quick and coordinated response to such emergencies.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development is vigorously working with the relevant stakeholders to provide National Guidelines on Industrial Disasters such as pipeline explosions and will carry out pipeline safety sensitization programmes in communities through which pipelines passed.
While the relevant authorities are working to ascertain the number of lives lost, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development commiserates with the Lagos State Government, families of the deceased and all other affected persons and organisations that have suffered losses in one form or the other, as a result of the explosion.
Salisu Dambatta
