Abuloma Community in Port Harcourt Local Government Area in Rivers State has banned gas retail outlets in the community following last Saturday’s gas explosion at Orazi, also in Port Harcourt where several people died and many others were admitted in hospital with severe 3-5 degree burns.
In a memo to all residents, landlords and business owners in the area, Abuloma Community Development Committee said the ban on the retail outlets was to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents in Abuloma.
“Landlords are hereby warned that they will be held liable for any breach of this prohibition. It is their responsibility to ensure that their tenants do not engage in the retail gas business.
“Abuloma Community Development Committee will work with relevant authorities to ensure strict enforcement of this prohibition,” the memo said.
It further said that non-compliance with the ban would lead to forfeiture of business assets, payment of fines and legal action
“We appeal to all residents, landlords, and business owners in Abuloma Kingdom to cooperate with the Abuloma Community Development Committee in enforcing this prohibition. Together, we can ensure a safer and more secure environment for everyone,” the memo concluded.
The memo was signed by Prince Ibinabo Lazarus, subcommittee secretary of
Environmental and Occupational Health.
Meanwhile, three victims of last Saturday’s gas explosion in Port Harcourt, including a man and his daughter, have died.
A phone repairer commonly known as Ayo and his young daughter, succumbed to severe burns they received from the explosion.
Michael Tordue, a neighbour of the deceased, said another 16-year-old neighbour who had earlier died in the incident was buried at a nearby cemetery.
The deaths have thrown the Oroazi neighbourhood where the explosion happened into mourning mood.
The explosion occurred on Saturday when an artisan was welding a refrigerator while another person was refilling a gas cylinder.
The police in Port Harcourt had launched an investigation into the incident in which about 18 people including passersby were badly burnt in the explosion.
