From Ameachi Prosper (The New Diplomat’s Delta State Correspondent)
Delta State Government has confirmed the death of four persons and 11 others, who sustained varying degrees ofp injures following a gas explosion that occurred in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area.
Governor Okowa who visited the site of the gas explosion that occurred on Friday night confirmed that four persons including three children and a woman died from the incident saying no fewer than 11 have been hospitalised at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), as a result of severe burnt injuries sustained during the explosion.
Okowa who also visited some of the bereaved families, described the fire disaster as an unfortunate incident and announced that the State Government would pick the bill for medical treatment of the victims.
He said that the surviving patients were referred to a specialised centre for the treatment of burns at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for further treatment because of the high degree of burns they sustained.
“It was an unfortunate fire incident involving a gas station where the tanker was trying to discharge gas.
“We have visited the place and the victims and we have seen the extent of damage caused by inferno.
“After my visit to the two families that lost their dear ones, I also visited the Central Hospital at Agbor where they were initially rushed to with varying degree of burns ranging from 80 to 90 per cent.
“I have directed the Commissioner for Health to make some deposits at the hospitals to enable them have full treatment.”
The Governor said that complaints of inadequate medical care for the victims at the Agbor Central Hospital were misplaced, adding that most people who complained didn’t have an idea of what they were talking about.
“I have listened and heard the complaints. Haven listened to the Medical Director and the extent to which they went, obviously the patients had severe and extensive burns.
“Any burn that is above 30 per cent is a major burn and we are talking about 80 to 90 per cent burns here.
On siting of gas plants at residential areas, he said that he would liaise with the State House of Assembly to come up with a law regulating such investments.
