Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Governor Bassey Otu has ordered free medical treatment for victims of a gas explosion in Calabar South, as the incident raises fresh concerns over safety standards in residential areas.
The governor, who visited the scene at Edibe Edibe, described the devastation as severe, noting that both lives and property were affected.
“What I’ve seen here is shocking. It’s a huge, huge damage,” Otu said after assessing the site.
The explosion, which occurred in a densely populated neighborhood, has reignited debate over the location of hazardous facilities within residential communities.
“I know very well this kind of facility should not be in a residential area, steps must be taken to prevent this kind of occurrence in the future,” the governor stated.
Several victims are currently receiving treatment in hospitals, while homes were either destroyed or badly damaged. In response, the state government has moved to cushion the impact.
“We have several casualties in the hospital and people’s houses have been damaged. Government is going to act quickly,” Otu assured.
He announced immediate intervention measures, including free healthcare for victims and possible compensation for affected residents.
“We are providing free medical treatment for those affected and will also look into compensation to help them return to their normal lives as quickly as possible,” he said.
However, questions have emerged over emergency response effectiveness. A victim, Mrs. Rosa Asuquo, alleged that attempts to reach the fire service during the incident were unsuccessful.
“I tried calling the fire service, but there was no response. There was no rescue until the fire went off by itself,” she said.
Asuquo, whose property was affected, called on the government to strengthen emergency response systems to prevent future tragedies.
The explosion, which occurred at No. 69 Edibe Edibe, left many residents injured and displaced, further highlighting infrastructure and safety gaps in urban communities.
