Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has disclosed that the owner of the gas facility that exploded in Akure, the state capital on Saturday, had no approval to operate in the area. This is even as he promised to compensate victims of the unfortunate tragedy.
The gas explosion, which occurred on Arakale Road, Akure, was reportedly as a result of a leakage at the gas retail outlet, which destroyed about 11 houses and property worth millions of naira.
Speaking when he visited the Truama Centre in Ondo where some of the victims were receiving treatment, Mimiko said the state government would be responsible for their medical bills.
According to the governor, eight people sustained varying degrees of burn injuries, while no life was lost to the incident.
Mimiko, who described the occurrence as unfortunate, said government did not approve the area for gas business.
However, the governor, while sympathizing with the victims at the hospital on Sunday, said a committee would be set up to take inventory of the property lost to the explosion.
He said, “Gas filling outfit right in the middle of residential areas is unacceptable. In terms of development and control practice, this is unacceptable. The unfortunate aspect of all of these is the culture of impunity. This man applied to set up the facility there in May this year and by June, the ministry wrote a letter rejecting the approval yet he went ahead to expose the lives of the people to danger here. This makes one to be sad.
“As I’m speaking with you, none of those affected is dead. Eight people were involved in the incident. They suffered varying degrees of burn injuries. As of now, all of them are still living. We pray that they will all make it”.
The governor further assured that all illegal filling stations located in residential areas and other hazardous locations in the state would be pulled down, calling on the people to be vigilant and report illegal retail outlet of gas to appropriate authorities to ensure safety of lives and property.
