Concerns in Ogun as explosion kills 2 at Obasanjo’s Library

The raging gas explosion Thursday rocked the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, killing two persons.

An eyewitness told our correspondent that yesterday’s explosion occurred around 11 am at the Marquee Event Centre within the presidential library.

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It was further gathered that technicians were topping up gas into the air condition of the event centre when it exploded.

A worker who spoke with Daily Trust said two people were killed in the explosion.

But the Managing Director at OOPL, Vitalis Ortese, while confirming the incident, said only a technical vendor died with his assistant sustaining injuries.

According to him, the explosion emanated when a pair of technical vendors were conducting routine servicing of the air conditioning units.

Ortese said: “There have been reports of similar incidents across the state in the last one week, which calls for investigations by the appropriate authorities.

“The emergency team of the Library immediately took action to prevent further damages and subsequently moved the injured to the hospital. Visitors into the complex were temporarily limited to contain any fallouts from the explosion.”

Meanwhile, residents of the state have expressed concerns over the incessant explosion incidents in Abeokuta within a week.

A group, Neo Black Movement of Africa, Abeokuta zone raised the alarm over the alleged circulation of the alleged fake gas cylinders in the state.

The group President, Kayode Odunewu, in a statement, drew the attention of the general public to suspected fake gas cylinders in Abeokuta.

According to Odunewu, the development has wrecked havoc on unknowing citizens due to the inability of such fake gas cylinders to withstand gas pressure.

He said: “Even as we are calling on the Nigeria Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association to curb this menace as a matter of urgency.

“It is on record that incidences of gas explosions as a result of fake cylinders being sold have become rampant nationwide as synonymous cases have been reported nationwide.”

Daily Trust reports that Thursday’s incident brings to four the number of gas explosions recorded in the state capital which had claimed about 10 lives.

On Tuesday, four persons died while three others sustained varying degrees of injuries when oxyacetylene gas exploded at the Conference Hotel, owned by former Governor Gbenga Daniel.