Four Feared Dead As Explosion Rocks Oyigbo

No fewer than four persons have been reportedly confirmed dead as explosion rocked troubled Oyigbo, in Rivers State, yesterday.
It was gathered that the explosion occurred at the SOBAZ Filling Station, opposite Timber Market, at about 1100am, yesterday when some welders were welding a tank at the petrol station.
The cause of the incident could not be ascertained by government regulatory authorities as of the time of this report.
However, it was gathered that some security personnel, which make up part of the security detail protecting the owner of the station, rushed the injured men to a private hospital, where they were confirmed dead.
It could not be confirmed whether the dead men were part of the welders or workers of SOBAZ or customers at the station.
When the Rivers State Police Command was contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nnamdi Omoni, said he was not aware of the incident, but promised to make necessary contacts with a view to getting details of the incident, and revert to The Tide.
But as at the time of going to press, Omoni was unable to provide the requested details on the incident.
It would be recalled the Rivers State Government had directed all operators in the downstream petroleum sector, especially filling stations and gas plants to observe strict compliance with regulatory provisions, at all times, to guarantee the safety of workers, customers, and residents of the state.
The warning was recently re-emphasised following an explosion at Adrios Gas Plant at Rumuodomaya in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area a few weeks ago.

By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana