The signing of the executive order 001 as gathered by Naijanewshub online Newspaper is part of governor Makinde’s efforts to prevent the future occurrence of such explosion in the state.
Addressing journalists at the site of the Bodija Explosion, Governor Makinde said “We here to monitor the progress that we’ve made here so far, we’ve carried out the structural integrity test, and I believed from the reports that has been given to us, we only have one individual still to be operated on, and on the medical side of things we are still okay.”
“We are cleaning up and we are still engaging the community here and I think we are also doing okay, even though some people still like to misinform populace by saying oh this is what they’ve seen, but the fact remain that some people came and stored explosive in this particular place which is a residential neighborhood, it shouldn’t have happened and what have done today is that I have signed an executive order on handling of harmful substances into law, this is what we can deal with in our state, our own law here can take care of that and that’s why the executive order is on handling substances that are dangerous and harmful.”
While speaking on the forensic reports received so far, Governor Makinde said, “We should have forensic integrated report on Monday, on the health side, on the engineering and structural test reports and also the clean up activities is still going on and some of the people are still in hotels and we have to get them to start living as normal as soon as possible and we’ve scheduled an expanded meeting with them on Tuesday and after that meeting we should be in a position to actually lay out what next step we’re going to take.”
Governor Makinde signed the executive order 001 on safe handling and storage of harmful substances within the state into law at the courtesy room of his office at the Secretariat, Agodi Ibadan in the presence of the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, the Chief Of Staff Honorable Segun Ogunwuyi, the state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state, Barrister Abiodun Aikomo, among others.
The executive order made available to journalits reads as thus; “Whereas the recent events have underscored the potential and real dangers posed by the
“Whereas, it has become necessary that the existing regulatory framework connected therewith be strengthened to ensure comprehensive risk mitigation and proactive prevention of accidents,
Therefore, 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 1. Mandatory
“Notification in paragraph 1 above, in respect of such substances already in possession as at the effective date of this Order, shall be made within Seventy-Two (72) hours of the effective dI’llate of this Order, and subsequently, not later than Twenty-Four (24) hours upon coming in possession of any such substances; and must include a comprehensive inventory detailing: (a)the type, quantity, and precise location of all such substances possessed; (b)the purpose of possession and any relevant licenses or permits held;(c)Security measures currently in place for storage and handling.”
“2.Prioritize Evaluation And Secure Storage (1) Upon receiving notification, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, in collaboration with the relevant security agencies particularly the Nigerian Army Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) through the Office of the Garrison Commander, Ibadan, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordinance
“(2) Cases deemed high-risk due to quantity, type, or storage conditions shall be prioritized for immediate evacuation and secure storage in the Magazines of the Nigerian Army or in any other safe location as determined by the BDS and/or the EOD.(3) In addition to paragraph 2 above, all cases deemed high-risk shall be immediately isolated, disarmed and where necessary disposed by the BDS and the EOD. (4) For the avoidance of doubt, high-risk shall include cases of-(a)exceeding designated safe quantities; (b)storage in unapproved or unsafe locations; (c)where applicable possession is without or with fake End User Certificate issued by the Office of the National Security Adviser/without or with fake license/permit from the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (FMMSD); or (d)lacking proper security measures or raising concerns about potential misuse.”
“Evacuation and storage shall be conducted by trained personnel of BDS and/or EOD and transported to designated State-approved facilities equipped with appropriate safety and
“3. Cost of Logistics and reimbursement (1) The cost of logistics related to the evacuation and storage of harmful articles or substances, including transportation, manpower, and any use of specialized equipment, shall be borne by the individual or company in possession of such harmful articles or substances. (2)Where the State Government, due to urgency or high-risk situations, incurs the initial cost of logistics, the affected individual or company shall be required to reimburse the State in full within seven (7) days of movement of such harmful articles or substances.”
“4. Compliance and Enforcement (1) Failure to comply with the provisions of this Executive Order, including the doing of any act with respect to, or omission to take proper precautions against any probable danger from any explosive in possession of any person, 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
“The Special Adviser on Security to the Governor, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence.Corps and any other relevant security agencies, is authorized to take all necessary measures to ensure compliance with and enforce the provisions of this Order, including arrests, conducting inspections, and seizing non-compliant harmful articles or substances.”
The effective date of the order shall take effect immediately, dated ths day, Wednesday, 31st January, 2024.