Ogun State governor Dapo Abiodun has assured residents of the safety of students and staff of Our Lady of Apostles Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode, following the temporary relocation of pupils from the school over methane gas pollution.
A statement on the official X account of the state government on Saturday said Abiodun disclosed this during an on-the-spot assessment of the school, saying preliminary investigations had confirmed the presence of methane gas in the affected area.
According to the governor, the students were relocated to an alternative location to protect their health and safety and to allow experts to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the source of the contamination.
He said the Ogun State Ministries of Environment and Health are working with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Department of Geology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, to determine the root cause of the incident.
The governor revealed that the pollution had been recorded twice in the school and some neighbouring schools, affecting about three schools on two separate occasions.
“What is interesting is that the gas pollution occurred at about the same time in the affected schools—about three schools altogether—and this has happened on two separate occasions.
“Following the first occurrence, we installed gas analysers across the schools to determine the nature and concentration of the gas, which has now been confirmed to be methane.
“Preliminary findings suggest there may be geological factors involved, possibly fault lines common to these locations, which could be responsible for the emissions.
“We are awaiting the final report from the professionals handling the investigation,” Abiodun said.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives of students, teachers and residents of the affected communities, assuring that every necessary step would be taken to identify the source of the pollution and prevent a recurrence.
The governor also dismissed claims that the incidents were being deliberately targeted at schools, describing such reports as unfounded.
“In the meantime, we have evacuated the students from the school. The rumour that these incidents are being deliberately targeted at schools is unfounded and should be disregarded. This appears to be a natural occurrence, and we are determined to get to the bottom of it.
“The students have been moved out temporarily, and until we are satisfied that the environment is completely safe and conducive for learning, they will not return. We will continue to investigate the cause of this situation and take all necessary steps to address it,” he added.
THE WHISTLER reports that there was panic in Ijebu Ode in May after a suspected gas leakage triggered an air pollution incident that left more than 90 students hospitalised.
The incident occurred barely one month after a similar outbreak was reported in the town.
Students from several schools, including Our Lady of Apostles Girls School, Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, and Sambadola Private School, were reportedly affected.
Several students were said to have fainted and were rushed to nearby hospitals, with many complaining of abdominal pain and other related symptoms.
They were subsequently discharged after treatment.
(The Whistler)