The two former governors of Imo state, Rt.Hon Emeka Ihedioha and Senator Rochas Olorocha have through separate press releases called on the federal government to investigate the killing of over 100 people at Abaeze caused by fire outbreak in Ohaji Egbema LGA of Imo State.
It was gathered that some persons who operate illegal refinery in the area had opened a channel on Oil pipeline,unknown to them that the pipe which use to dispense crude oil had in it a gas.
Ihedioha in a release signed by Chibuike Onyeukwu as media Side and made available to Newsmen in Owerri yesterday, Ihedioha said that he received with a rude shock and sadness, the news of the fire outbreak that claimed over 100 lives and property, Friday, at an illegal refinery located at Abaeze in Ohaji Egbema LGA of Imo State.
Hon. Ihedioha describes the incident as “unfortunate and avoidable, while calling for full investigation and prosecution of all those behind the carnage to avert future occurrence.”
He said, “This is one loss too many. My heart bleeds for the victims, families and affected communities of this unfortunate and avoidable disaster.
“It is a period of grief and sober reflection for our State, which has been bedeviled by insecurity and other challenges”.
While calling for a deliberate action to nip the increasing activities of illegal refinery and bunkering in the state, His Excellency enjoins citizens to take adequate precautions and avoid activities that will expose them to danger or risk of losing their lives and property.
Similarly, Senator Owelle Rochas Okorocha through his media adviser, Sam Onwuemedo lamented the reported killing of more than one hundred people, by an explosion at an illegal oil refinery, in a forest at Abaezi, in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government, describing the incident as worrisome and disheartening.
Senator Okorocha, who was a two-term governor of lmo state, expressed regret that, for sometime now, Orlu zone has been in the news for the wrong reasons, adding that , the ugly and disturbing stories of killings or deaths in the zone have become unbearable.
OKorocha called on the Minister of State for Petroleum , to set up a judicial panel of inquiry, to unravel the remote and immediate causes of the Abaezi incident, with a view to avert future occurrence.
Okorocha’s prayer is that, God would console the families affected by this disaster and give the souls of all those who lost their lives in the bloody incident, eternal Rest.
