Ogun attributes Ijebu-Ode gas leak to earthly geological processes, debunks misconceptions

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The Ogun State Government has attributed the recurring gas emissions in parts of Ijebu-Ode and its environs to natural underground geological activities, dismissing claims linking the phenomenon to traditional myths or beliefs.

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The Commissioner for Environment, Dr Ola Oresanya, stated this during a state government-organised town hall meeting with stakeholders on the gas emissions at the Bisi Rodipe Hall, GRA, Ijebu-Ode.

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Oresanya, in a statement on Sunday, said scientific investigations have shown that the gases being emitted are mainly methane and sulphide originating from underground geological fractures.

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He explained that the emissions are associated with the Ifewara-Zungeru trans-Atlantic fault line, which stretches from Mojoda through Ijebu-Ode into Osun State and extends to Zungeru in Niger State.

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“There is what we call the Ifewara-Zungeru trans-Atlantic line that cuts across Mojoda, Ijebu-Ode into Osun State through Zungeru in Niger State.

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“That fault line has been there from time immemorial and it has been found out that it connects to the areas where the gas emissions occurred. Coincidentally, all the affected schools are located in that area,” he said.

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The commissioner noted that the affected part of Ijebu-Ode was historically forested and sparsely populated, adding that many of the schools affected were missionary institutions established on land that was largely unoccupied.

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He said the government was conducting further analysis to determine whether the methane and sulphide gases were thermogenic or methanogenic in origin and to establish whether Ijebu-Ode sits on significant natural gas reserves.

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Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, advised residents not to panic but to comply with public health guidelines.

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She urged residents to cover their noses with wet handkerchiefs during gas emission incidents instead of using face masks, which she said could be dangerous under such conditions.

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Coker also advised residents to contact the state’s health emergency line, 08112000033, whenever they required assistance.

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The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbadu, said schools recently shut by the government would reopen after consultations with principals of the affected schools and zonal education officers.

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He appealed to parents to allow the government time to complete the necessary safety and administrative processes before resumption.

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The Head of the Department of Earth Sciences at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Prof. Philip Ikhane, who is leading the investigation, urged residents to remain calm while experts continued their work.

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Ikhane also advised residents to minimise activities such as borehole drilling and quarry blasting, warning that such activities could aggravate existing fault lines and increase the associated risks.

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Some stakeholders, including Adegbenro Adetayo, Olawale Kukoyi, Monday Ajayi and Mrs Morayo Adebanjo, commended the state government for its intervention and urged residents and schools to make use of the health emergency helpline when

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