The Ogun State Government has said it may relocate residents of affected communities in Ijebuland if ongoing investigations establish that recurring gas emissions pose serious risks to human health.
The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, gave the assurance on Thursday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, following the latest incident on Wednesday, October 21, which reportedly sent more than 100 pupils to hospitals after exposure to a strong chemical odour.
Oresanya said the state government was intensifying investigations into the recurring incidents, which have affected schools and communities in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye since April.
He maintained that preliminary findings suggested the gas emissions would not cause death, although he acknowledged that the government would consider relocating affected residents if further investigations established the possibility of fatalities or permanent damage to human health.
“From the first incident till now, we told you the kind of gas it is and that gas will not kill anybody. We told you that. It can be discomforting though,” the commissioner said.
He added, “And up to now, the state government gave the assurance that nobody will die from this gas.”
However, the commissioner said the government would not rule out further precautionary measures until investigations had established the nature, source and potential health implications of the emissions.
“All we can do, until we find out that this may kill or affect their health permanently, we may relocate them immediately,” he said.
The recurring incidents began on April 1, when at least 30 students and a teacher were hospitalised at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Ijebu-Ode.
Another occurrence on May 15 reportedly affected more than 100 students and teachers, while 69 students were hospitalised following a third incident on June 3.
The latest occurrence on October 21 reportedly affected more than 100 pupils across parts of Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye, renewing concerns over the safety of residents, particularly schoolchildren.
According to Oresanya, the state government had recorded about five reported incidents since April, with the spread of the latest occurrence to additional locations raising fresh questions about the source of the emissions.
He said the government was working with scientists and relevant federal agencies to determine the origin of the gas and develop an effective, lasting solution.
The commissioner explained that investigations by the Department of Earth Sciences at Olabisi Onabanjo University, alongside gas analysis conducted by the state, had identified methane in air samples collected around the affected areas.
He added that the government had been monitoring gas concentrations in Ijebu-Ode since the first incident and was collaborating with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and its technical teams to determine whether the gas was coming from shallow or deep underground reservoirs.
Oresanya said preliminary geological findings indicated that parts of Ijebu-Ode were situated on shale formations that could produce gas.
However, he described the latest incident in Ago-Iwoye as a development requiring further investigation because the area was believed to have a different geological formation.
“One other thing you need to know is that Ijebu-Ode and its environs is sitting right on gas reservoirs, generally. So, what we have right now, from the aeromagnetic survey investigation that was carried out, Ijebu-Ode is on a kind of formation called shale. So, and that’s about 0 to 150 meters in depth around the area,” he said.
“ What occurred yesterday is surprising, because I know Ago-Iwoye is in a basement complex and the basement complex is more of a rock than sedimentary,” he added.
The commissioner explained that if investigations confirmed the presence of a shallow gas reservoir, the technical team could consider drilling a well at an appropriate location to reduce underground pressure and control the emissions.
He, however, warned that if the phenomenon was linked to tectonic activity, the response would require more extensive intervention involving the Federal Government.
“If it’s tectonic, that’s a bigger issue. That is going to be something at the federal level that decisions have to be taken and it’s beyond us. And that means we have to do something to avoid any form of human catastrophe,” he said.
Oresanya assured affected families that the state government was committed to addressing the situation and would continue to engage relevant stakeholders while investigations lasted.
“We are not leaving the parents to their fate,” he said, adding that the government had been meeting with stakeholders to explain the situation and communicate precautionary measures.
He also acknowledged the need to improve the speed of public alerts, noting that gas monitoring sensors could detect sudden increases in concentration within a short period, leaving officials with limited time to activate existing emergency response procedures.
