Gas pipeline leakage causes pandemonium in Lagos

Harboursandport.com: Lagos - A gas pipeline leakage along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway today resulted in pandemonium among residents and road users of Arepo, Magboro, and environs in the Ogun State axis along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

The incident occurred this morning when the gas pipeline belonging to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, got busted in the process of road expansion by Julius Berger Construction Company.

An eye witness account said the pipeline was erroneously touched  while the construction company was  excavating a surface at the worksite and this led to the leakage of its content into the neighborhood.

The situation resulted in panic among motorists as traffic officials diverted traffic movement after condoning off the affected area to prevent the situation from worsening.

Also, road users from the Magboro end of the Expressway were cut off in compliance with safety and security precautions.

It was gathered that many commuters scampered for safety causing gridlock as the gas continues to erupt with a huge hissing sound heard kilometers away in Arepo Estate and the Magboro community.

As of press time, 10.15 am, firefighters from Ogun State, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, the Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Ogun State Traffic Compliance, and Enforcement Corps, TRACE, and other emergency responders were deployed to the scene to put the situation under control.

Reacting to the development, NEMA Lagos State Acting Coordinator, Ibrahim Farinloye said the situation did not record any casualty or fatality.  "our men were on ground and we have contacted Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and the Nigeria Gas Company. The area is calm now," said Farinloye.

As of 10.45am, he said the verve supplying the gas has been shut down.

Lagos-Ibadan-Egbeda Corridor, DCC Kehinde G Hamzat said the incident
has led to a standstill traffic situation on both sections of the expressway. He said "Motorists are advised not to panic as professionals are being contacted to take care of the situation. People who have a time-bound activities may explore alternative routes while those who can postpone their trips, should do so,"

Despite the travel advisory, some defiant road users were said to have maneuvered the area to access their various destinations.