Abiodun gives assurance of safety as Ogun relocates students over methane gas pollution

The Ogun State Government has temporarily relocated students from Our Lady of Apostles Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode following a chemical inhalation incident. Governor Dapo Abiodun stated that preliminary findings confirm the presence of methane gas in the school area. The relocation aims to protect students and staff while experts investigate the contamination's source.

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Twice now, we have recorded cases of pollution in this school and some neighbouring schools. 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.

Governor Abiodun explained that this is the second such incident in the school and neighboring areas, with approximately three schools affected on both occasions. Gas analyzers installed after the first occurrence confirmed the gas to be methane. Preliminary findings suggest potential geological factors, such as fault lines, might be responsible for the emissions. The state government is collaborating with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Olabisi Onabanjo University's Department of Geology for a comprehensive investigation.

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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.

Abiodun reaffirmed the administration's commitment to student and resident safety, vowing to identify the pollution source and prevent recurrence. He dismissed rumors of deliberate targeting of schools, characterizing the incident as a natural occurrence. The students will remain in their temporary location until the environment is deemed completely safe. Updates will be provided as the investigation unfolds.

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Preliminary findings suggest there may be geological factors involved, possibly fault lines common to these locations, which could be responsible for the emissions.