The management of Inter Corp Oil factory, a member of Chikason Group of Company in Nnewi, Anambra State, where the deadly gas explosion took place on Chrismas eve, has debunked the number of casualties published in some national newspapers.
Briefing reporters at the company’s headquarters, the Managing Director of the organisation, 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.
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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