The single sharpest fact is that Ogun State government has attributed recurring gas emissions in Ijebu-Ode and its environs to natural underground geological activities. This comes after claims of supernatural causes and traditional myths began circulating.
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.
He explained that scientific investigations have shown that the gases being emitted are mainly methane and sulphide originating from underground geological fractures.
“These gases are natural. What we have here is nothing but the result of the Ifewara-Zungeru trans-Atlantic fault line that cuts across Mojoda, Ijebu-Ode into Osun State through Zungeru in Niger State,” he said.
Dr Oresanya noted that the affected part of Ijebu-Ode was historically forested and sparsely populated. Many of the schools affected were missionary institutions established on land that was largely unoccupied.
The commissioner also stated that the government is conducting further analysis to determine whether the methane and sulphide gases were thermogenic or methanogenic in origin. They will also establish whether Ijebu-Ode sits on significant natural gas reserves.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, advised residents not to panic but to comply with public health guidelines. 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.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbadu, said schools recently shut by the government will reopen after consultations with principals of the affected schools and zonal education officers.
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.
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 needed.
Key Facts:
• The Ifewara-Zungeru trans-Atlantic fault line stretches from Mojoda through Ijebu-Ode into Osun State and extends to Zungeru in Niger State. • The gas emissions are mainly methane and sulphide originating from underground geological fractures. • The affected schools were missionary institutions established on land that was largely unoccupied. • The government is conducting further analysis to determine whether the methane and sulphide gases were thermogenic or methanogenic in origin. • Residents are advised to cover their noses with wet handkerchiefs during gas emission incidents instead of using face masks.
The Commissioner for Environment, Dr Ola Oresanya, said: '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.'
The Ogun State government's intervention has been met with praise from various stakeholders, who have urged residents and schools to make use of the health emergency helpline when needed.