Nigerian southern state to take stiffer measures on gas station operation after explosion

Nigeria’s Lagos state government would take stiffer measures in regulating the operation of gas stations or any combustible items to avoid recurrence of disasters following a deadly gas station explosion.

At least eight people have been killed following an explosion on Thursday at a gas station in Baruwa area, a suburb of the city of Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub.

Governor of Lagos state Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday expressed in a statement deep sorrow over the gas explosion that claimed lives and destroyed properties, describing the incident as a sad memory in the life of the administration.

He said preliminary reports on the cause of the explosion suggested negligence on the part of the gas station operators.

“The reports I got showed that the explosion could have been avoided if the operators of the gas plant had adhered to safety guidelines. Lives would have been saved and properties too would not have been affected,” Sanwo-Olu said, without detailing the cause of the explosion.

He restated the state government’s commitment to the safety of the lives and properties of citizens by ensuring that operators follow strict regulations in the operations of gas plants.

According to reports by local media, the incident occurred when a liquefied petroleum gas tanker was in the process of discharging at the gas station located within the densely populated area.