•Council bans gas refilling in residential areas
•Clears hospital bills of victims at Sonabel Hospital
From Tony John, Port Harcourt
A man identified as Ayo and his daughter have reportedly passed on in the gas explosion that occurred at Big Tree, Oroazi in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, last weekend.
In a viral video, Ayo and his little daughter had first degree burns with no one to assist them.
Ayo was seen entering the hospital with peeled skin and blood oozing out of his body.
It was gathered that the victims of the explosion were about 24, among them were a pregnant woman, four children and a couple.
They were critically injured by the gas explosion that occurred on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chijioke Ihunwo, has expressed heartfelt condolences to victims of the gas explosion in the Oroazi axis of the LGA.
During a visit to the scene of the gas explosion and some victims at Sonabel hospital in Oroazi on Monday, Ihunwo, who broke down in tears expressed sadness over the incident.
He described the gas explosion as not only pathetic, but unfortunate.
Speaking to journalists during a visit to some of the victims who are receiving treatment, the council chairman announced that he would take over the bills of the victims.
To demonstrate his compassion after meeting some of the victims, Ihunwo immediately released N3million to Sonabel Hospital for the treatment of the affected persons.
He expressed: “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.”
In the meantime, the council chairman has placed an immediate ban on gas refilling business within residential areas in the LGA.
He explained that the move is to curb future occurrences.
Ihunwo declared: “Let me also announce it 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 law breakers 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 CDC 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.”