Lagos gas pipeline leakage plugged

04 Nov Lagos gas pipeline leakage plugged

Emergency responders yesterday prevented a major disaster at Ikeja, Lagos after a massive gas spillage from a pipeline.

The spillage, which affected Computer Village, Underbridge Awolowo Way, Oba Akran axis, Onifowose Street and Medical Road, was said to have caused panic.

It was gathered that the drainage in the affected areas and some major roads were covered with gas with residents fleeing their homes for fear of explosion.

But officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Fire Service, Police and other relevant agencies were said to have immediately mobilised to the scene to contain the situation.

NEMA’s acting Southwest Coordinator, Ibrahim Farinloye, who issued the alert, urged residents to avoid igniting naked flames, adding that shop owners should keep off the area for the time being.

He also notified the public that the area has been cordoned off and traffic in and out diverted as precautionary measure.

Giving details of the operation later in the day, the Director, Lagos Fire Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, said officials were able to blanket the spilled gas in good time and prevented danger.

She said report of the incident was received around 7:14am, adding that the leakages were caused by an accidental puncture of a pipeline belonging to Gaslink.

Adeseye said: “The incident which was reported at 07:14 hours Wednesday to have occurred in front of Awolowo House, Awolowo Way, inward Oba Akran Avenue, Ikeja saw deployment of Alausa Fire Crew to douse the gas fumes.

“On arrival at the scene, it was discovered that a gas pipeline belonging to Gaslink was accidentally punctured and started gushing out. In a bid to forestall any secondary incident, the area was swiftly cordon off and traffic diverted while inhabitants were sensitized not to make naked fire.

“The situation has been brought under control as the gas pipeline has been depressurized and maintenance of the damaged section is ongoing.

“This is to confirm that no casually was recorded and the environs is back to normalcy as the roads are now open to regular traffic movement.

“Lagosians can now go about their legitimate businesses without any fear of unforeseen circumstances.”