The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has commiserated with the victims of Friday’s gas explosion in Ona Ara Local Government Area of Ibadan, Oyo State, describing the incident as avoidable and entirely unnecessary.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Minister’s spokesman, Louis Ibah, on Sunday.
The statement reads partly: “The Minister extends his condolences to the Government and people of Oyo State, especially to the families of the confirmed fatalities, as well as to the many injured.
“Preliminary reports indicate that the blast occurred while a gas tanker was offloading LPG into a 2.5MT illegal skid situated within a densely populated neighbourhood, resulting in extensive damage to nearby homes, shops, and a church.
“Illegal facilities and unsafe practices pose unacceptable risks to communities. No operator has the right to endanger public safety by cutting corners or setting up unapproved gas sites.
“Gas remains a safe and clean energy source when handled strictly in line with safety standards. Negligence, substandard equipment, and unlawful installations — not the product — cause accidents.”
Following the explosion, Ekpo said the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) had already commenced a full-scale investigation to determine the root cause of the blast.
He called on residents and eyewitnesses to cooperate with regulators to ensure a thorough and credible inquiry.
The Minister stressed that the Federal Government would not tolerate the proliferation of illegal gas facilities, warning all unlicensed operators to immediately vacate the sector or face prosecution.
He added that government agencies would intensify surveillance, dismantle unsafe structures, and enforce safety rules rigorously to prevent further tragedies.
Ekpo noted that while gas remains a key component of Nigeria’s clean energy transition, adherence to safety standards is non-negotiable. He maintained that the Ibadan explosion should serve as a wake-up call on the dangers posed by unregulated activities within residential and commercial environments.
He further assured Nigerians that the government remains committed to protecting lives, property, and public confidence in the gas sector through strict compliance monitoring and swift punitive action against violators.