Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has signed into law Executive Order 001, 2024 on the handling and storage of harmful substances in the state.
In a section of the order, the governor gave 72 hours ultimatum to anyone in the state in possession of any kind of explosives to declare them.
The new law came about two weeks after an explosion rocked the state capital, Ibadan, on January 16, killing five persons, and injuring 77 others with 58 houses destroyed in the Adeyi area of Old Bodija, Ibadan.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Executive Order, shall constitute an offence and shall be punishable under Chapter 38 of the Criminal Code Law, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000 and any other applicable Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Makinde declared.
While the Federal Government has launched a probe into the incident, Makinde said preliminary investigation linked the explosion to some explosives illegally stored in the residential area by some miners.
At a brief signing ceremony at the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan, on Wednesday, Makinde said the signing of the Executive Order became imperative in the light of the January 16 incident.
According to him, the law is on the safe handling and storage of harmful substances in the state.
He expressed optimism that the new law would prevent a recurrence of the January 16 explosion in the state.
In the Executive Order, the governor stated that it had become necessary to strengthen the existing regulatory framework connected with the handling of harmful substances “to ensure comprehensive risk mitigation and proactive prevention of accidents, misuse, or any other illegal or criminal activity involving harmful articles or substances.”
He declared, “Pursuant to Sections 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), and all other laws and enabling powers in that regard I, Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde (FNSE), the Executive Governor of Oyo State of Nigeria, hereby makes the following order:
