…advocates safety, security frameworks for state’s schools
Following last Friday’s gas/chemical leakage incident in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, which affected over 100 students and teachers in several schools in the town, the Katamaran Deck of the National Association of Seadogs, popularly known as Pyrates Confraternity, has charged the state government to urgently conduct an independent environmental and industrial audit of affected communities and environs to identify possible sources of the toxic emissions and other environmental hazards with a view to preventing a recurrence.
The Katamaran Deck comprising Ijebu-Ode and Remo in a statement on Sunday by its Cap’n, Comrade Jamal Apena, expressed “very deep concerns” over the incident, which reportedly resulted in the hospitalisation of several residents, particularly students and teachers.
The Association also called for accountability and transparency in the ongoing investigation into the incident, stressing that the public deserves to know the actual source of the leakage, the extent of environmental contamination and the measures being taken to prevent a recurrence.
It however recommended that “where negligence is established, individuals found culpable should be held accountable in accordance with the law.”
Last Friday, for the second time in less than two months, another gas leak occurred in Ijebu-Ode, affecting over 100 students and teachers.
The incident affected students in several schools, including Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende; Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School, Epe Garage, Ijebu-Ode, among others.
The victims, numbering over 100, complained mainly of stomach ache, respiratory distress, fainting spells, body weakness and long-term trauma. They were all were rushed to the Ogun State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode and other private hospitals in the town.
In its reaction to the incident, the Katamaran Deck noted that the latest occurrence exposed critical lapses in environmental safety management, emergency preparedness and industrial safety regulations within the state as well as the entire country “with special attention directed to our educational system.”
It therefore called for, among others, the establishment of school safety frameworks in which all administered public spaces, including primary and secondary schools in the state are mandated to develop functional frameworks that will include emergency response plans/protocols, evaluation procedures, regular safety drills, installation of gas and smoke detectors and provision of fire safety equipment where necessary.
The Association also called for the strengthening of regulatory oversight in which environmental protection agencies will intensify routine inspections of industrial facilities, including factories, warehouses, gas plants and chemical storage sites located within the state, especially near schools and residential areas.
The Katamaran Deck further demanded the creation of rapid emergency response units by the state government to increase the capacity and capabilities of the existing emergency response teams that should be equipped to handle chemical and other environmental emergencies in schools and public institutions.
The government and civil society organisations, the statement added, should embark on public awareness and safety education to promote sustained public education campaigns on environmental safety, hazardous substances and emergency response procedures.
It further stated that urban planning and zoning should be enforced by relevant authorities that must ensure strict compliance with urban planning regulations that prohibit hazardous industrial operations within closed proximity to schools and residential communities.
The Katamaran Deck added that healthcare facilities in vulnerable communities should be equipped and staffed with trained personnel to respond swiftly to toxic exposure and environmental emergencies.
Expressing further concerns about the incident, the Katamaran Deck noted the following:
“1.Inadequate Environmental Monitoring: The recurrence of gas-related incidents suggests insufficient environmental surveillance around industrial parks, residential and educational areas. Industries operating near schools must be subjected to strict environmental compliance checks.
“2.Weak Emergency Preparedness in Schools: Reports indicating panic, mass evacuation,and overcrowded hospitals reveal that many schools lack effective emergency response mechanisms and protocols.Most educational institutions do not possess adequate safety equipment, emergency drills, or trained personnel capable of handling hazardous situations.
“3.Threat to Public Health and Human Security: Gas leakage poses serious threats including respiratory complications, long-term health consequences, psychological trauma, and potential fatalities. Such occurrences directly challenge the concept of human security and safe public spaces.
“4.Regulatory and Enforcement Deficiencies: The incident raises questions regarding the enforcement of environmental laws, industrial regulations, and urban planning standards, especially where industrial facilities exist close to schools and densely populated communities.”
The Association added that the “incident is not merely an isolated environmental accident; it is a serious public safety concern that calls for immediate governmental intervention to recalibrate and re-emphasise long-term preventive strategies. The recurrence of such incidents within a short period raises legitimate fears among parents, educators, and communities regarding the safety of (learning) environments across the nation.”
Reiterating its position on the incident, the statement added, “The National Association of Seadogs strongly believes that the protection of lives, especially those of children and young people in schools, remains a fundamental responsibility of government. Educational institutions must never become zones of environmental danger, negligence, or institutional unpreparedness.
“We therefore urge the Ogun State Government, through its environmental agencies, school authorities,and other relevant stakeholders to treat the ljebu Ode gas leakage incidents as a national wake-up call requiring urgent and coordinated action.”
The Association concluded that “the safety of our citizens and students cannot be compromised. The recent gas leakage incident in ljebu Ode underscores the urgent need for stronger environmental governance, improved institutional preparedness, and a comprehensive national approach to school safety and human security.
It “therefore calls on the state government to act decisively, responsibly, and proactively to prevent future occurrences and restore public confidence in the safety of our educational institutions, adding, “A society that fails to protect its children endangers its future. Immediate action is therefore not optional; it is imperative.”
