Gaslink allays fears over gas leakages from its facility

Gaslink Nigeria Limited (GNL), a subsidiary of Oando Plc, has allayed fears of possible health and environmental hazards following the leakages from its facility at Alaka Estate Extension, off Eric Moore, Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The assurance followed fears being entertained by residents of the area.

The firm said what happened was not an explosion but a leakage which was isolated within 30 minutes after it was reported, saying work immediately commenced to halt the leak.

Gaslink, however, apologised for any inconveniences this incident may have caused the Alaka Estate Extension community, saying it was working hand-in-hand with the state Ministry for

Environment and appropriate regulatory bodies to ensure all safety standards are adhered to as all required modifications to the gas infrastructure are implemented.

Samson Agbesi, a principal manager with SunFlags Group of Companies, said the incident is a safety warning to all stakeholders and residents around the location of the facility.

He said after the first leakage at about 11p.m on new year eve, Gaslink was immediately contacted and it responded by shutting down the pipeline while its team of engineers where mobilised to site on January 1, 2015. Agbesi said repair was completed the following day.

According to him, SunFlags has written Gaslink to know about the safety precautions it intends to put in place to protect the companies which it services and the residents of the area in the event of any leak.

In response to the complaints by residents, Gaslink in a statement signed by Ainojie ‘Alex’ Irune, head, corporate communications of Oando Plc, admitted that there was a gas leak, which was promptly attended to.

“The leak was isolated within 30 minutes after it was reported and work immediately commenced to halt it”.

The statement said that the GNL gas network is built and maintained in accordance with the requirements of world-class engineering codes and standards, which include a routinely tried and tested emergency response plan.

It explained that leakages are common within gas distribution systems globally, and when incidents occur, GNL implements an emergency response plan designed to achieve isolation of affected section(s) within 45 minutes.

To prevent a recurrence and in line with its corporate responsibilities to communities and the environment, GNL has opted for a total by-pass of the entire section, and is presently working towards sectional replacement and final restoration of gas supply.

“Along with immediate repairs and the re-commissioning of gas supply to customers, Gaslink will further sensitise the surrounding community on the properties of natural gas, as well as the implementation of a revamped, solution-centered response plan”.