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Nigeria to begin investigation into Lagos explosion
Lawmakers in Nigeria have directed Committees on Petroleum Downstream, Gas Resources and Petroleum Upstream to investigate the Lagos pipeline explosion and urged the Nigerian government contribute to the emergency relief fund created for residents. This follows initial steps taken by Lagos and Nigeria's state-owned oil company NNPC's explanation even as residents debate the cause of explosion. CNBC Africa's Christy Cole has been following the story.
Wed, 18 Mar 2020 11:17:50 GMT
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AI Generated Summary
- The Tragic Loss of Life and Property
- Calls for Investigation and Accountability
- Urgent Relief and Support Efforts
The explosion that rocked the Shobat community in Lagos on Sunday morning has left a trail of devastation, with at least 15 people dead, including the principal of Bethlehem Girls College, Henrietta Alokha. The incident also resulted in the hospitalization of many residents and left others homeless as investigations and evacuation efforts continue. The scene at Shobatown is likened to a horror movie, where buildings collapsed from the explosion, and survivors recount the harrowing experience to security and health officials. The residents are in shock and disbelief, grappling with the aftermath of the tragic event. The explosion, which affected 50 houses, has raised questions about the cause and accountability for the disaster. Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has taken swift action in response to the crisis by setting up a 2 billion naira emergency relief fund, with the state government pledging 250 million naira towards the fund. Sanwo-Olu acknowledged that the scale of the disaster surpasses what the state government can handle alone, and he has reached out to fellow governors and the private sector for support. The Lagos State Government has also initiated an investigation into the explosion, focusing on identifying the root causes and ensuring accountability. Three key themes emerge from the aftermath of the Lagos explosion: 1. The Tragic Loss of Life and Property The explosion in Shobat community resulted in the loss of 15 lives, including the principal of Bethlehem Girls College, Henrietta Alokha, who heroically helped evacuate around 300 girls before losing her life. The explosion also caused significant damage to 50 houses and left many residents hospitalized and homeless. The community is reeling from the impact of the disaster, with residents demanding answers and justice for the victims. 2. Calls for Investigation and Accountability Following the explosion, there have been conflicting accounts of the cause, with Nigeria's state-owned oil company, NNPC, attributing it to a truck hitting gas cylinders in a processing plant near a pipeline right of way. However, residents, including Femi Ekundayo, a past Vice Chairman of the Landlords' Association, dispute this explanation, pointing to concerns about the integrity of the gas pipeline in the area. The Lagos State Government has launched a fact-finding committee to investigate the incident and determine the responsible parties. 3. Urgent Relief and Support Efforts The Lagos State Government has taken immediate steps to provide emergency relief to the affected residents, setting up a relief fund and reallocating resources to address the crisis. Governor Sanwo-Olu's proactive response underscores the need for swift and decisive action to support the victims and prevent similar incidents in the future. The government's commitment to transparency and accountability in the investigation process is crucial for restoring trust and ensuring justice for the victims and their families. As the fact-finding committee begins its work, the residents of Shobat community are hopeful that the true causes of the explosion will be uncovered, and measures will be implemented to prevent such tragedies from recurring. The road to recovery will be long and challenging, but with the collective effort of government, community, and private sector stakeholders, the residents can rebuild and heal from this devastating event.
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