Lagos govt seals event centre where petrol was given as ‘souvenirs’

The Lagos government has sealed the event centre where kegs of petrol were handed out as souvenirs, a state aide has said.

Jubril Gawat, a media aide to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the government sealed Havillah Event Centre, Oniru, through the Lagos Safety Commission and the Rapid Response Squad for contravening public safety rules on Saturday.

Mr Gawat in a post on his Twitter handle said that the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, has ordered the arrest of the culprits.

On Saturday morning, a viral video where party guests were handed litres of petrol surfaced on the internet.

According to the sticker on the petrol kegs, it was the “Erelu Okin Installation Foundation Party.”

The party which was held on Friday was a coronation party of Chidinma Ogulu as the Erelu Okin of Orile Kemta.

In an earlier statement, Gbenga Omotosho, the state commissioner for information and strategy, had condemned the act.

He said that the action is dangerous and can lead to loss of lives and properties, adding that “all parties to this reprehensible action are made to account for it.”

“The safety of lives and properties of Lagosians and visitors remains a top priority to the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration,” the statement reads.

“We, therefore, advise that actions that can lead to loss of lives and properties be avoided.”

Biting petrol scarcity

The video surfaced at a time Nigerians are grappling with long queues at petrol stations and a hike in price for many weeks.

Many fuel stations have refused to sell at the approved pump price of N165 per litre.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the scarcity worsened last week across many cities, as many struggled to go to work or engage in other daily routines.

This is despite the federal government saying that it has sufficient stock of petroleum products for distribution across the country while urging its citizens to be patient.

The federal government had said methanol, a chemical additive, found in recently imported fuel, exceeded Nigeria’s specification.

The development has resulted in a shortage of petrol and queues reappearing in major cities including Abuja and Lagos.

Traffic gridlocks appeared across major parts of Abuja as many service lanes were closed to traffic due to queues from petrol stations.