By Foluso Adelaja, Editor
Preliminary investigations on the cause of gas emissions at schools in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State indicated that the ancient town might be sitting on substantial natural gas reserves, says Ogun State Government.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya who hinted at this possibility while speaking at a town hall meeting in Ijebu-Ode yesterday explained that the methane which was emitted from the earth crust while not toxic, could however displace oxygen and cause symptoms such as weakness, dizziness and confusion.
He maintained that if properly managed, the gas could be depressurised and tapped from a safer location to benefit the State economically.
Providing more technical insights on the gas emission incidences, experts from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Prof. Philip Ikhane and Dr. Olukayode Oluwakemi, said ongoing gas analysis was focused on identifying the exact cause.
The experts stated that mining activities had been ruled out, leaving borehole drilling or natural geological events as the likely factors under investigation.
Meanwhile, Ogun State Government has temporarily relocated students from 2 Senior Secondary Schools in Ijebu Ode following concerns over the suspected gas emission issue which affected schools safety and operations.
This emergency measures were activated to ensure uninterrupted examinations and protect learners amid ongoing investigations.
Also speaking at the town hall meeting, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, said the disruption primarily affected the Junior sections of the affected schools, while the Senior School section remained largely unaffected.
According to him, the immediate priority was to safeguard SS 3 candidates who were writing their West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
He said students of Anglican Girls Grammar School [AGGS] were relocated to Adeola Odutola College, while students of Our Lady of Apostles were relocated to Ijebu Muslim College.
The Commissioner added that other students were asked to remain at home as authorities continue to monitor the situation.
”With SS 3 examinations now concluded, the State government is preparing to relocate SS 1 and SS 2 students to alternative venues ahead of the forthcoming JSS 3 Basic Education Certificate Examination,” he said.
Prof. Arigbabu, disclosed that the government had engaged experts from Olabisi Onabanjo University’s Health Sciences and Geology departments to determine the source of the anomaly, noting that preliminary findings suggested a possible gas pipeline leakage or a geological fault line, as detailed report is expected within the next few days or weeks.
In addition to the steps taken, the Commissioner confirmed that ambulances would remain on standby at the relocation centres, while gas analysers would be deployed to monitor air quality for any potential triggers, adding that special attention would be paid to students with underlying health conditions to ensure they are not exposed to any risk during the period.
The speakers assured parents and stakeholders that all necessary steps were ongoing to restore normal academic activities in a safe and conducive environment as further updates would be provided once the geological and environmental assessments were concluded.
