*Enugu govt, stakeholders assure on safety of citizens as normalcy returns to varsity community
*FG to probe possible hydro-carbon deposits
James Emejo in Abuja
The management of Caritas University, Enugu, Wednesday disclosed that no life was lost in the recent incident of gas emission and flaring which occurred inside the university premises for weeks during an attempt to drill a borehole for water.
The university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Michael Orji, said perhaps the only loss recorded was the fact that “we didn’t get the water we needed” adding that it also spent a lot of resources putting the nervous situation under control.
Speaking at a media briefing by the university management and regulatory agencies on the recent gas emission/flare and extinguishing of the fire, Orji explained that the institution had been pressed for water and conducted a borehole drilling on May 22, but struck gas a day after.
The incident, however, resulted in massive gas emissions which also ignited a fire and sent the entire university community into panic as the raging inferno lasted about three weeks before it “miraculously” stopped burning.
The deputy VC told journalists that initially the collaborative efforts by all stakeholders to subdue the inferno had proved abortive adding that the situation was brought under control by divine intervention as the “fire stopped on its own”.
It was further learnt that stakeholders including the state government had mobilised about 24 companies to stop the gas flaring but with no significant progress.
He said, “The light went out itself miraculously after we have tried our own. It was through the mercy of Jesus Christ. We know Jesus handled the situation for us. We never had any fatality in the two days of rage. The Fire died out and the gas flow stopped.”
Orji said despite the occurrence, the institution will still intensify its water exploration adding that the state government had indicated plans to carry out a seismic analysis of the incident.
This came as the state government including other experts also assured that the situation had now been brought under control adding that though further investigations were ongoing, the environment had been duly secured and remained safe for the return of normal life.
The State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Greg Nnaji, at the briefing said the gas flare incident had been handled according to global best practices and assured citizens of their safety.
Speaking after inspecting the site of the flare, he said, “Once more to the people of Enugu State; we appreciate the stakeholders, we appreciate Caritas University and we are bold now to say to the people of Enugu State that due attention and diligence has been given to this gas flare in line with world best practices and Enugu is safe, the environment is safe and above all Enugu State remains in the hands of God.”
Also, the Owerri Zonal Coordinator, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Enorense Amadasu, said though the stoppage of the fire was truly miraculous, it also cost the collaborative efforts of relevant stakeholders to bring the situation under control, adding that the state fire service had tried for two days to put off the fire but to no avail.
He also the conclusion of further investigations will determine the way forward.
He pointed out that contrary to speculations, a right-of-way probe had shown that the fire was not associated with gas pipeline vandalisation, stressing that none was available within the location of the incident.
