Ikeja gas leakage now under control – NEMA

Earlier today, a gas leakage occurred around Computer Village, Oba Akran Area of Lagos, Nigeria causing residents and businesses across the area to go into panic.

The spokesperson for NEMA (South West), Ibrahim Farinloye, in a statement on Wednesday, advised residents to avoid using anything inflammable.

“Residents around Computer Village, Underbridge Awolowo Way, and Oba Akran axis, Anifowose Street, Medical Road must not open shops or use open naked fire for safety reasons,” he said.

“Distressed alert just received indicates massive leakage of gas pipeline around these areas.”

An eyewitness Adekunle Raji, whose mother sells her ware at the spot where the gas leakage occurred affirmed to The PUNCH that the ongoing road project caused the gas leakage.

He said, “I am a trader here and to my own knowledge, this is the first time something like this would happen. They said they wanted to widen the road so they demolished some structures. While they were doing that, I think they made a mistake and hit a pipeline and it was not repaired. They are still doing the road rehabilitation.

“People always trade here and nothing like this has ever happened. This is the first time this kind of thing will happen. This particular place that it happened is where my mother sells her wares and I also assist her. The leakage has affected our business immensely.”

Another eyewitness who simply identified himself as Jeremiah Kuffrey, stated, “The leakage was due to the ongoing road project. They ought to have informed the gas company about the road rehabilitation for them to stop gas from running through these pipes. The partial demolition of the buildings is because they want to expand the road. When the incident happened, the gas was gushing out but the right authorities were informed and they came here hurriedly. That is why you can see them all on the ground. It started since in the morning.”

Gas leakage brought under control

TopNaija has however learnt that the gas leakage has been brought under control with residents advised to go about their daily routine.

However, traffic diversion around the areas is still in force.