The Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo, on Monday, made a deposit of N3 million for the treatment of several victims of an LPG/cooking gas explosion at the Orazi axis of the local government area.
Ambassador Ihunwo made the deposit during a visit to some of the victims of the explosion in a private hospital. He also immediately placed a ban on gas refilling businesses within residential areas in the LGA.
Over 20 people, including children, were severely injured in a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) explosion that occurred over the weekend at the Big Tree area of Orazi in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Eyewitnesses reported that the explosion occurred in the afternoon at an LPG/cooking gas retail shop, affecting some passersby as the fire rapidly spread to nearby shops and houses.
A relative of some of the victims, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that the owner of the gas retailing shop was also conducting welding activities at the site.
The visibly distraught man said that his sister-in-law, her husband, and their two children were among those affected by the explosion.
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He said, “I was called because my sister-in-law and her husband were involved. I was eating when they called me, and when my wife picked up the call, her expression changed immediately. I asked her what happened, and she said that her sister is at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital due to a fire incident. I lost my appetite immediately and started driving down to this place because I know it well—it’s my village.”
“There’s someone who refills gas. For quite a long time, he has been doing it, and he also does welding work. Sometimes, you’ll see him welding perforated cylinders without following proper safety protocols.”
“As a result, the gas exploded and affected the other cylinders inside. My brother-in-law and his family had just returned from first service and were about to stop by when the explosion occurred.”
Another source in the area said most of the victims were passersby who were close to the gas refilling shop when the explosion happened.
He noted that the victims were immediately rushed to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital Emergency Unit for urgent treatment.
During a visit to the scene of the gas explosion and to some victims at Sonabel Hospital in Orazi on Monday, Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo, who broke down in tears, expressed his sadness over the incident, describing it as not only pathetic but also unfortunate.
He announced that the council would cover the treatment costs for the victims and immediately released three million naira to the hospital for their care.
He said, “It’s quite unfortunate that this is happening so early in the new year. I am saddened by the number of people affected. I was briefed about this incident, which is why I am here to sympathize with those who lost their loved ones.”
“As a local government, we are going to cover the bills for 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 pain.”
He explained that to prevent future occurrences, he had banned the gas refilling business from residential areas in the LGA.
“Let me also announce it here and now: henceforth, no one is permitted to run a gas refilling business in residential areas within Obio/Akpor. To ensure that lawbreakers are held accountable, I will establish a special committee with the mandate to go into the various streets and roads to enforce compliance.”
“I also urge CDC chairmen and youth leaders in the various communities to join this campaign so we can save the lives and property of our people. Anyone caught defying this ban will be arrested and made to face the law,” he stated.
The Obio/Akpor Local Government Chairman was joined by some of his aides and the Chief Security Officer of the LGA, Chinwo Innocent.
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