Emma Arubi, Austin Ogwuda Emmanuel Aziken and Laide Akinboade
30 July 2007
Warri — THREE more victims of the recent kerosine fire explosions in Delta State are dead, raising the death toll to 17.
Already, the state governor has banned the sale of kerosine and petrol in surface tanks. It directed the police to arrest anyone found buying or selling such products outside authorised filling stations.
The latest to die are11-year old Chineyere Onwobolu who gave up the ghost at 3.05p.m, Saturday; Mrs. Esther Menama from Burutu and little Miss Tosan Ejewinor who died at 4.15 pm yesterday at the Central Hospital, Warri where they were receiving treatment. Mrs Esther Menama's three-month-old baby is still battling to survive at the hospital, while Tosan's sister and Okiemute who lit the lamp that triggered the explosion are still recuperating from burns.
Delta Govt bans sale of kerosine in black market
Meanwhile, the state government, weekend, announced the banning of sale of kerosine and petrol in surface tanks, and asked police to apprehend anybody found buying or selling such petroleum products outside authorised filling stations.
State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, who announced this expressed regret over the kerosine explosions in Warri that have claimed 17 lives.
Investigation showed that although many petrol stations in Asaba have started selling petrol at the official pump price of N70 per litre, they seem to be under-dispensing as they have adjusted their meters.
Some motorists have complained about the sharp practice which officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) promised to look into by inviting men of the Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to enforce strict compliance and punish erring dealers.
Senate consoles Delta
The Senate, on Friday, unanimously passed a resolution to console the people and government of Delta State over the spate of kerosine related explosions in the state.
The Senate resolution was upon a motion moved by Senator James Manager (PDP, Delta South) drawing the attention of the Senate to the development. The Senate in its resolution has also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide "urgent relief materials to the victims of the explosions."
The Senate in its three legged resolution also called on the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to intensify the "nationwide enlightenment campaign on the dangers of kerosine adulteration in the country."
Briefing his colleagues on the development, Senator Manager, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta, said no fewer than 10 persons had been reported dead on account of the "series of explosions," adding: "Among the latest victims were one Mrs. Beauty and her three children."
He also said "more than 20 other victims are presently lying in critical condition at the Warri Central Hospital and other medical centres in the state."
Beside the human lives, he also disclosed the loss of property worth millions of naira arising from the series of kerosine explosion caused by the adulteration of kerosine sold in the Warri area.
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