The Obio-Akpor Local Government Area has picked the medical bills of about 18 victims of the gas explosion that occurred on Sunday evening in the Oroazi area of the council.

The police confirmed the incident on Monday and explained that it happened when a technician simultaneously tried to refill gas in refrigerator while welding with a gas cylinder.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said: ?The technician was using a gas cylinder to weld while simultaneously trying to refill gas into the refrigerator, which led to the explosion. No fewer than 18 persons including the technician sustained injuries. Fortunately, no lives were lost?.

The Executive Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo, was said to have broken down in tears when he visited the victims in their hospital beds.

He said the gas explosion was pathetic and unfortunate and promised to take care of the victims? medical bills.

Ihunwo in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Ofonime Okon, immediately released N3m to Sonabel Hospital for the treatment of the affected persons.

He said: ?It?s quite unfortunate that this is happening this early in the new year, I am saddened because of the number of persons affected, I was briefed about this incident that is why I am here to sympathise with those who lost their loved ones.

?As a local government, we are going to foot the bills of those who are injured and receiving treatment at the hospital, as a responsive administration we cannot allow our people to suffer this alone, we share in their pains,? he said.

Ihunwo also placed an immediate ban on gas refilling business within residential areas in the council explaining that the move would curb future occurrences.

He said: ?Let me also announce it here and now that henceforth, no one is permitted to run a gas refilling business in residential areas within Obio/Akpor and to ensure that we put law breakers to check.

?I will be putting in place a special committee with the mandate to move into the various streets and roads to enforce compliance. I also enjoin CDC chairmen and youth leaders in the various communities to join this campaign so we can save lives and property of our people, anyone caught defying this ban will be arrested and made to face the law.? (The Nation)

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