The Ogun State government has launched an investigation into recurring gas emissions around some secondary schools in Ijebu-Ode, in collaboration with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Preliminary findings indicate that methane and other atmospheric gases are present in the affected areas. The state Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, emphasized the need for federal government involvement due to the potential regional implications of the issue.
Oresanya stated that similar gas-related incidents have been reported in Rivers, Delta, and Ondo states, making it essential to establish the source of the emissions and determine an appropriate response. The meeting with NUPRC officials and environmental experts aimed to strengthen cooperation between the state and federal governments in identifying the precise nature and origin of the emissions. The government is working to address gaps in existing information through scientific investigations.
The NUPRC will review research previously conducted by teams deployed by the state government and work with local specialists to establish the cause of the emissions. Assistant Director at the NUPRC, Omonedo Prosper, stated that the commission would undertake an assessment and produce a report to help the government determine the appropriate response. The commission's involvement reflects its responsibility to protect the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians.
Earlier investigations by a team from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, identified methane and other atmospheric gases in the affected areas. Professor of sedimentary and petroleum geology, Ikhane Phillips Reuben, stated that the university's team conducted remote sensing and geographical information systems screening to establish the presence and distribution of the suspected methane gas. The findings suggested that the affected environment was under stress due to the presence of the gases.
The professor disclosed that preliminary geological investigations identified underground lineaments, which could represent faults, fractures, joints, or unconformities through which gas might be escaping to the surface. The university recommended that the state government conduct comprehensive geophysical and geochemical surveys to establish the source and nature of the emissions. The state government is working towards implementing the recommendations.
On the potential dangers of methane, Phillips Reuben warned that high concentrations of the gas could displace oxygen in the atmosphere, potentially exposing people to oxygen depletion. He also cautioned that substantial concentrations could create an explosion risk under certain conditions. However, he distinguished methane exposure from carbon monoxide poisoning, explaining that methane was not directly toxic.
The General Manager of Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Hon. Kenny Bello, stated that the state government is on top of the situation in finding a lasting solution to the incident. The state government and the NUPRC team will bring their expertise to bear in solving the issue associated with the poisoning chemical incident. The ongoing investigation aims to establish the geological origin and concentration of the gases, as well as their possible implications for public health and safety.
Key points
- The Ogun State government and NUPRC are investigating recurring gas emissions around secondary schools in Ijebu-Ode.
- Preliminary findings indicate the presence of methane and other atmospheric gases in the affected areas.
- The investigation aims to establish the source and nature of the emissions, as well as their implications for public health and safety.
