After deadly explosion, LG chair bans gas refilling in residential areas

Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chijioke Ihunwo, has banned the refilling of gas cylinders at residential areas under the council’s jurisdiction.

Recall that 18 persons, including a pregnant woman, four children, and a couple were burnt during a gas explosion at the Orazi axis of the local government last Saturday.

Meanwhile one of the victims, a girl who was affected alongside her father succumbed to death following the severe burns she suffered.

A family source who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the grieving parents said she died on Sunday while receiving treatment at the hospital.

The source said, “My uncle is still alive receiving treatment in the hospital but the daughter, a girl of about eight or nine years, died yesterday.

“She didn’t make it. So, it is very painful. The family is in pain right now. ”

The Obio/Akpor LG Chairman, Ihunwo ordered the ban when he visited the scene of the explosion as well as some victims at Sonabel Hospital in Oroazi on Monday.

This was contained in a press statement issued by a media aide to the LG Chairman, Ofonime Okon, and made available to newsmen.

Ihunwo expressed condolences to the victims of the gas explosion, even as he broke down in tears on seeing the state of the victims which he described as sad.

Speaking to newsmen, he described the gas explosion as not only pathetic but unfortunate and offered to foot the bills of the victims.

To demonstrate his compassion after meeting some of the victims, the LG boss immediately released N3 million to Sonabel Hospital for the treatment of the affected persons.

He stated, “It’s quite unfortunate that this is happening this early in the new year, I am saddened because of the number of persons affected, I was briefed about this incident that is why I am here to sympathise with those who lost their loved ones.

“As a local government, we are going to foot the bills of those who are injured and receiving treatment at the hospital, as a responsive administration we cannot allow our people to suffer this alone, we share in their pains.”

On the ban on gas refilling business within residential areas in the LGA, he said it was to curb future occurrences.

“Let me also announce here and now that henceforth, no one is permitted to run a gas refilling business in residential areas within Obio/Akpor and to ensure that we put lawbreakers to check.

“I will be putting in place a special committee with the mandate to move into the various streets and roads to enforce compliance.

“I also enjoin Community Development Committee chairmen and youth leaders in the various communities to join this campaign so we can save lives and property of our people, anyone caught defying this ban will be arrested and made to face the law,” Ihunwo stated.