BEVERLY HILLS, May 20, (THEWILL) – Authorities of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library have indicated they smelt a rat as they, also, commiserated with the injured and the deceased in Thursday’s explosion that occurred on the premises of the sprawling, multi-utilities complex owned by the former President.
However, in a statement signed by the Managing Director of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Vitalis Ortese, the facility’s administrators called for investigation into the incident, citing some similar occurrences in facilities owned by exposed dignitaries in its operational base of Ogun State.
““There have been reports of similar incidents across the state in the last one week, which calls for an investigation by the appropriate authorities,” Ortese said.
Just two days earlier, two people reportedly died following a gas explosion at the Conference Hotel Abeokuta, owned by former Governor of Ogun state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel. The hotel is just a shouting distance from the presidential library
Also, last Wednesday, three persons, including an infant were burnt to death in a gas explosion breaking out at Oke-Egunyan, along NTA Road in Abeokuta when a technician was topping up the gas of a faulty refrigerator.
Barely 24 hours after the incident, another gas explosion occurred on Mercy Road, Panseke, Abeokuta where a technician, Sanya Shonde, was injured, and later had his leg amputated.
The OOPV Managing Director, however, said that apart from the two affected people, the facility did not record any other casualty.
Explaining the circumstances of the incident Ortese said it happened during a routine service of some air condition units on site.
THEWILL here reproduces the MD’s statement in full: “The management of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library wishes to confirm that there was indeed a gas explosion today, at the main event Marquee of the complex in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
“The explosion emanated when a pair of technical vendors were conducting routine servicing of the air conditioning units.
“There have been reports of similar incidents across the state in the last one week, which calls for an investigation by the appropriate authorities.
“The explosion, which occurred at about 11.04 am, unfortunately, led to the death of a technical vendor and serious injury of the second vendor.
“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 fallout from the explosion.
“This has, however, been restored after clearance by the fire services authorities.
“The management assures that all visitors to the library, guests at the Green Legacy Resort, the pupils at the CCGK nursery and primary school, clients at the cultural villages, and staff present on the premises at the time of the incident are safe.
“Management wishes to condole with the families of the victim that died, while sending a get-well message to the injured.
“The management promises to keep to global safety best practices and wish visitors a good and memorable stay at the OOPL.”
