Ogun State Government on Monday sealed off Gasco Marine Ltd, the company whose truck was involved in an accident which caused explosion in the Ita-Oshin area of Abeokuta North Local Government Area on Saturday.

The explosion claimed one life, injured two and razed five vehicles, some buildings and shops by the roadside.
Speaking in an interview after sealing off the premises of the company located at Onijoganjogan, Abeokuta, the Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Environment and Chairman, Special Task Force on Environmental Matters, Hon. Farouq Akintunde said the accident occurred due to the negligence of the company.

He said: “Two days ago, Ogun State was in a tumult with the news of fire incident that occurred around Ita-Oshin. We can authoritatively confirm that the truck that was involved in that fire is from this company.

“It was a sorry case because it involved loss of life and destruction of properties. Our preliminary investigation shows that it is an act of negligence from the company as they did not do the needful as regards the truck.

“As a regulatory body which is in control of all these matters, we believe there is a need for us to conduct safety and audit tests on all their trucks to prevent future occurrence. In doing so, we have to shut down the premises and after that all other procedures will follow.”

Akintunde said the company would be unsealed as soon as all necessary steps and precautions have been put in place, maintaining that as a business-friendly state, the government does not take joy in sealing business premises perpetually.