What Lagos Gov't Has To Say To Traders Who Operate On Gas Pipelines

The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu

The Government of Lagos State, has sent a warning to traders on gas pipelines.

The government, on Tuesday, urged traders, especially food vendors, to evacuate their wares from the gas pipeline sites in Ikorodu as part of measures to prevent gas explosions.

The Director of Technical Operations, Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulation Agency, Mr Tunji Adeyemi made the call at a sensitisation campaign organised by the agency in partnership with Falcon Corporation at the Sabo and Odogunyan areas of Ikorodu.

Adeyemi said, “LASIMRA usually issues permits for buried and overhead utilities within the Right of Way in the state and when we issue such permits we also carry out what we call risk assessment analysis and management.

“When you look at this corridor, you will see that we have a gas pipeline here buried in the ground, and overhead we have electrical power lines so there is a risk involved and we have to manage it by sensitising the traders around the gas pipelines, particularly food vendors to evacuate it in order to prevent gas explosions.”

Also speaking at the event, the Community Relations Officer, Falcon Corporation, Mr Michael Shonubi, said, “We have been sensitising Ikorodu residents for the past 10 years that this gas pipeline was buried. Now, we partnering with LASIMRA to ensure their safety; they should avoid digging on top of the pipeline and bringing naked light near it.”

One of the residents, Mutaru Ajiboye, who spoke with our correspondent stated that “It is better for people to comply with these directives like those who roast suya and fry foods beside the pipeline.”