The management of InterCorp
Oil Limited (LPG Gas Plant), a member of Chicason Group in Nnewi,
Anambra State, where the deadly gas explosion took place on Christmas eve, has
debunked the number of casualties published in some national newspapers. Briefing reporters at the
company’s headquarters, the Managing Director of the organization, Mr Linus
Ilozue, said that the numbers of casualties were grossly exaggerated, while
putting the actual figure at eight.
This
assertion was, however, disputed by eyewitnesses who maintained that the
casualty figures were far above the company’s claim.
The Nation report continues:
Ilozue
said: “While accepting that there was loss of lives, the company wishes to
state that the figures being peddled by both national and international media
are grossly exaggerated. The recorded figure of the death as released by the
police stands at eight. Investigations are still ongoing to determine the cause
of the explosion.”
Also
speaking on the tragic incidence, the traditional ruler of Nnewi, Igwe Kenneth
Orizu III, who is marking his 52nd year on the throne and 90th birthday today,
called on the state and federal government to declare a three-day mourning for
the victims.
Describing
the incident as the most calamitous incident in the community since his
52-years on the throne, said the community would dedicate this year’s Ofala
festival church service to the victims.
He
added that the incident was not only a loss to the community, but to the state
and entire country at large.
One
of the persons whose family survived the inferno close to the plant, Favour
Moughalu, thanked God for saving members of her family, including her parents.
Moughalu,
who said she returned to Nnewi for Christmas from Abuja, said the number of
deaths being quoted was not an exaggeration.
When
our correspondent visited the Nnewi Teaching Hospital, on Friday, it was
gathered that the victims had been transferred to the Orthopaedic and Teaching
Hospitals in Enugu.
Meanwhile,
both the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano and his predecessor, Mr. Peter
Obi, had visited the scene of the fire disaster. They described the incident as
a calamity and huge loss to the state and entire country.
In
his reaction, the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial Zone, Andy Uba,
says the National Assembly may consider a law to compel local and state
governments to establish fire service at ward levels.
This move, according to
him, is to curtail such incident that happened in Nnewi, which claimed many
lives.
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