Lagos explosion: Ministry activates contingency plans

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, has commiserated with victims of the pipeline explosion that occurred around Abule Ado in Amuwo Odofin local government area of Lagos state on Sunday.

The disaster affected residents of Ijegun, Ikotun, Egbeda, Abule Ado, Okota, Isheri Odofin, Festac and satellite towns.

In a statement made available to Blueprint in Abuja Tuesday, which was signed by the Special Assistant on Media and Press Affairs, Salisu Na’inna Dambatta, 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.

The statement reads in part: “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 utilised, as demonstrated in the case of this explosion, to ensure an effective, quick and coordinated response to such emergencies.” 

“The ministry is vigorously working with the relevant stakeholders to provide national guidelines on industrial disasters such as pipeline explosions and will carry out pipeline safety sensitisation programmes in communities through which pipelines passed.

“While the relevant authorities are working to ascertain the number of lives lost, the minister 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.”

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