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By Tracy Moses
The House of Representatives on Wednesday called for the strict enforcement of safety regulations governing the siting and operation of gas filling stations and retail outlets across Nigeria, following renewed concerns over recurring gas explosions in residential communities.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Adesola Adedayo, who represents Apapa Federal Constituency of Lagos State, during plenary.
Presenting the motion, Adedayo drew the attention of lawmakers to a recent gas explosion in his constituency, describing it as a tragic reminder of the dangers posed by poorly regulated gas facilities in densely populated areas.
He said the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, May 5, 2026, along Adeleye Street in Apapa, Lagos State.
According to him, the explosion occurred at a site where construction activities were ongoing behind two shops, resulting in extensive damage to surrounding buildings and injuries to several persons.
“The incident led to extensive damage to nearby structures, huge financial and material losses, and serious injuries of varying degrees to five individuals, including a student who was on his way to school,” he said.
Adedayo commended the swift response of residents and emergency personnel in containing the situation and preventing further casualties.
“I commend the swift response of the residents of the neighbourhood and the State Fire Service personnel, who acted promptly to mitigate the disaster by conveying victims to Gbagada General Hospital and other nearby health facilities for treatment,” he added.
Despite the intervention, the lawmaker expressed concern over the increasing frequency of gas-related explosions in urban areas, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to public safety.
He noted “the recurring incidence of gas explosions in high-density, low-income residential areas and the huge losses of lives and property.”
Following deliberations, the House mandated regulatory agencies responsible for approving and monitoring gas facilities to ensure strict compliance with existing safety and siting standards without compromise.
Lawmakers also urged emergency management agencies to provide immediate relief and support to victims of the Apapa explosion.
Gas explosions have become a recurring safety concern in Nigeria’s major cities, including Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, driven by the rapid expansion of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage for domestic cooking.
While LPG is widely embraced due to its affordability and cleaner-burning benefits compared to traditional fuels, its growing demand has led to the proliferation of gas plants and retail outlets in residential areas, often without strict adherence to safety regulations.
Industry standards require minimum setback distances between gas facilities and residential buildings, schools, and markets. However, weak enforcement, illegal siting, and poor compliance have contributed to repeated incidents.
Experts also cite poor handling of gas cylinders, substandard equipment, inadequate training, and lack of routine inspections as contributing factors.
The House’s resolution reflects growing legislative concern over the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms, improved regulatory coordination, and proactive monitoring to prevent further tragedies.
Lawmakers stressed that beyond reacting to incidents, relevant authorities must adopt preventive safety measures as the use of gas continues to expand nationwide.