By Foluso Adelaja, Editor
Residents of Ijebu Ode and it’s surrounding towns and villages have been warned to desist from activities such as borehole drilling and quarry blasting which could disturb the earth’s bed as the ancient town may be sitting on a split in the earth crust.
Preliminary investigation on the recent odorous gases disturbing some parts of the town, especially around Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School at Epe Garage in Ijebu Ode and some other schools around indicated that Ijebu Ode falls within the Ifewara-Zungeru Trans-Atlantic fault line, which stretches from Mojoda through Ijebu-Ode to Osun and Niger states.
According to Ogun State Government, scientific investigations has identified methane and sulphide gases as the major emissions escaping through underground fractures along established fault lines.
The Head of the Department of Earth Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Prof. Philip Ikhane though urged residents to remain calm as investigations continues but advised that activities such as borehole drilling and quarry blasting should be minimised, warning that they could worsen the effects of the existing fault lines.
At the Stakeholders’ Meeting with parents, school heads and development partners in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area on the gaseous disturbances which had led to the closure of the affected schools, government attributed the methane emissions recorded in some schools in Ijebu-Ode to natural underground ecological causes, dismissing speculations linking the incidents to spiritual myths or security threats.
The Commissioners for Environment, Ola Oresanya, and Health, Dr Tomi Coker, made the clarification during the stakeholders’ meeting.
The meeting provided an opportunity for government officials to brief stakeholders on progress made so far in addressing the situation.
They also warned against the spread of unfounded rumours and speculation that could trigger unrest while the government works to find lasting solutions to the challenge.
Oresanya said scientific investigations identified methane and sulphide gases as the major emissions escaping through underground fractures along established fault lines.
He explained that the affected areas fall within the Ifewara-Zungeru Trans-Atlantic fault line, which stretches from Mojoda through Ijebu-Ode to Osun and Niger states.
According to him, investigations linked the fault line to the locations where the gas emissions occurred, including the schools recently affected by the incidents.
He noted that the affected part of Ijebu-Ode was historically forested and largely uninhabited before missionary schools were established there.
Oresanya said community leaders likely allocated the previously deserted land to missionaries, resulting in the establishment of several schools within the affected corridor.
He added that ongoing laboratory analyses would determine whether the gases are thermogenic or methanogenic in origin.
The commissioner also disclosed that the government was investigating the possibility that Ijebu-Ode sits on significant natural gas deposits beneath the affected communities.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, urged residents to remain calm and observe safety measures during periods of gas emission.
Coker advised residents to cover their noses with wet handkerchiefs and avoid using face masks, which she described as unsafe during such incidents.
She also urged residents to contact the state emergency health line, 08112000033, whenever urgent medical attention becomes necessary.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbadu, said the affected schools would reopen after consultations with relevant stakeholders.
Arigbadu appealed to parents to allow the government complete the necessary processes involving principals and zonal education officers before reopening the affected schools.
The officials urged residents and school authorities to promptly use the state emergency health helpline whenever gas emissions pose a threat to public safety.
