In the wake of the tragic explosion that rocked the Ita-Oshin area of Abeokuta, Ogun State Government has taken decisive action by sealing off Gasco Marine Ltd, the company whose truck was involved in the accident.
Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Environment and Chairman, Special Task Force on Environmental Matters, Hon. Farouq Akintunde, addressed the media after sealing off the premises of Gasco Marine Ltd located at Onijoganjogan, Abeokuta. He attributed the accident to the company’s negligence, emphasizing the need for strict regulatory measures to prevent future occurrences.
“Two days ago, Ogun State was in a tumult with the news of a fire incident that occurred around Ita-Oshin. We can authoritatively confirm that the truck that was involved in that fire is from this company,” said Akintunde, expressing condolences for the loss of life and property.
The preliminary investigation pointed to negligence on the part of the company, prompting the government to take immediate action to ensure public safety. Akintunde stressed the importance of conducting safety and audit tests on all trucks associated with Gasco Marine Ltd to mitigate the risk of similar incidents in the future.
“As a regulatory body in control of all these matters, we believe there is a need for us to conduct safety and audit tests on all their trucks to prevent future occurrence. In doing so, we have to shut down the premises, and after that, all other procedures will follow,” Akintunde stated.
While acknowledging Ogun State’s reputation as a business-friendly environment, Akintunde assured that the government’s priority remains the safety and well-being of its citizens. He affirmed that Gasco Marine Ltd would be unsealed once all necessary safety protocols have been implemented.
The swift action taken by the Ogun State Government underscores its commitment to ensuring public safety and holding accountable those responsible for lapses in safety standards. As investigations continue, residents await further updates on measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
