Charles Ekanem|18 May 2018
The Cross River State Government has assured residents and other consumers of kerosene products statewide that drastic measures will be taken to ensure kerosene adulterated with AGO (popularly known as diesel) and PMS (popularly known as petrol) are not sold in the State.
This position was made known by the State Health team led by Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong and DG State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Betta Edu as they paid a visit to over 10 kerosene explosion victims in General Hospital Calabar.
They respectively advised citizens to desist from buying kerosene from unauthorized outlets and dealers as they run the risk of buying adulterated product that could result in explosions and fire accidents.
Dr Inyang Asibong noted that within the past two months, General Hospital Calabar has treated more than 15 cases of Kerosene explosion and presently 10 are undergoing treatment while 2 were just discharged that morning. She expressed gratitude to God and the hospital management as no live has been lost.
She said His Excellency, Senator ( Prof ) Ben Ayade has decided to look into the matter as he is very bitter about the rate at which these adulterated products are being sold by desperate marketers just to make more profit against the plight and safety of the consumers and has warned that the State will not condoned kerosene explosion incidents henceforth as it will be traced to source of purchase.
Dr Betta Edu who queried the conscience of the people adulterating Kerosene seeked to know what they will benefit from setting people's wives, children and husbands on fire while they make illegal money.
She called on the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Health, Safety and Environment, standard organisation of Nigeria and other regulatory agencies to come to our rescue by clamping down on these illegal adulteration activities and illegal kerosene outlet sales while increasing the monitoring of the product that comes into the State and Nigeria as a whole.
According to her, His Excellency Senator ( Prof ) Ben Ayade is very sad about the incidents as the rate of victims keep increasing daily and is ready to take action on any person found responsible for adulterated kerosene in Cross River State.
"Cross River State is working hard on child right protection which will protect children this should stop the incessant abuse of child right as seen here where a 9 years old child selling petrol gets burnt in the process get by explosion says Dr Edu.
The Medical Superintendent of General Hospital Calabar, Dr Ayi Effiom stated for the past two months, General hospital Calabar have treated 15 cases of kerosene explosion victims and presently 5 has been discharged and 10 are still undergoing treatment.
He noted that some of them were about lightening their lantern before explosion while some were aslept when the lantern explodes. Dr Ayi noted that the situation is very saddening and wish for Government to take drastic measures that will curb the incidents and prevent reoccurrence.
Charles Ekanem
Writes from Calabar
