Minister vows nationwide crackdown as three killed in tanker blast at Oyo community
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has issued a stern warning to illegal gas retailers across the country, saying the Federal Government will no longer tolerate unauthorised operations in the sector.
His comments follow the tragic gas explosion that rocked the Biodun Alaadun area of Ona Ara Local Government in Ibadan on Friday night, killing three people and leaving several homes and businesses damaged. The blast reportedly occurred while a gas tanker was discharging into a retail outlet.
In a statement on Saturday, Ekpo expressed sadness over the incident and extended condolences to the families of the victims and the Oyo State Government.
“Preliminary findings show that the explosion happened while a tanker was offloading LPG into a 2.5MT illegal skid located in a densely populated neighbourhood,” he said. “The resulting blast destroyed nearby houses, shops and even a church. It was a completely avoidable tragedy caused by unsafe and unlawful practices.”
Government Blames Negligence, Substandard Equipment
The minister stressed that gas remains a safe energy source when handled properly but warned that negligence, poor equipment standards and failure to obtain regulatory licenses remain major triggers of explosions nationwide.
“Gas is safe when handled responsibly,” he stated. “It is negligence, the use of substandard equipment, and illegal operations that create disasters such as this.”
Investigation Underway
Ekpo confirmed that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has launched a full-scale investigation into the incident. He urged residents and eyewitnesses to cooperate with authorities to help determine the exact cause and prevent similar occurrences.
He also issued a clear directive to illegal operators to vacate the sector immediately.
“The Federal Government will not hesitate to shut down unsafe sites, prosecute offenders, and enforce all safety regulations to protect lives, property and public confidence in Nigeria’s gas industry,” he warned.
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