The Ogun State Government has taken decisive action against Gasco Marine Ltd, the company responsible for the devastating gas explosion that rocked the Ita-Oshin area of Abeokuta North Local Government Area on Saturday.
The government has sealed off the company’s premises, located at Onijoganjogan, Abeokuta, following an investigation that revealed negligence on the part of the company as the cause of the accident.
The explosion, which occurred when a gas truck belonging to the company was involved in an accident, left several people injured and caused significant damage to properties in the area.
The government’s swift response is aimed at preventing further disasters and ensuring that the company takes responsibility for its actions.
Hon. Farouq Akintunde, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment and Chairman of the Special Task Force on Environmental Matters, led the team that sealed off the company’s premises.
According to Akintunde, the government will not tolerate any behavior that puts the lives of citizens at risk. “We will ensure that safety standards are upheld, and companies operating in Ogun State are held accountable for their actions,” he said.
The government’s action has been widely commended by residents of the area, who expressed relief that the company has been held accountable for its negligence.
The incident has also raised awareness about the need for companies to prioritize safety and take responsibility for their actions.
The Ogun State Government has promised to continue to monitor the situation and ensure that justice is served. The company’s seal-off is expected to remain in place until further notice, pending the outcome of further investigations and legal actions.
He said: “Two days ago, Ogun State was in a tumult with the news of fire incident that occurred around Ita-Oshin. We can authoritatively confirm that the truck that was involved in that fire is from this company.
“It was a sorry case because it involved loss of life and destruction of properties. Our preliminary investigation shows that it is an act of negligence from the company as they did not do the needful as regards the truck.
“As a regulatory body which is in control of all these matters, we believe there is a need for us to conduct safety and audit tests on all their trucks to prevent future occurrence. In doing so, we have to shut down the premises and after that all other procedures will follow.”
Akintunde said the company would be unsealed as soon as all necessary steps and precautions have been put in place, maintaining that as a business-friendly state, the government does not take joy in sealing business premises perpetually.
