Station director, father of boy burnt in Kerosene explosion still in dispute over source of adulterated product
[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]
Father of a 16 year-old boy injured in a kerosene explosion incident back in September 25 in Nsukka, Enugu State, and the owners of the filling station where the adulterated product was purchased are still locked in argument over responsibility for the accident.
It would be recalled that a 16-year old boy, Akachukwu Madu suffered body burns as a result of explosion caused by alleged adulterated kerosene at Alo-uno in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The incident happened around 1.35 pm on September 25, 2021.
The explosion affected the boy’s face, neck chest and shoulders.
Father of the victim and Founder of Highway to Grace Assembly Ministry, Rev Chika Madu, in an interview described the incident as unfortunate.
He said his son Akachukwu wanted to use the Kerosene to light up firewood when it exploded and his shirt caught fire which burnt some parts of his body.
“I was in the parlour when my wife raised alarm and I rushed out only to see that the kerosene I bought for them has exploded and injured him.
“We took him out of the burning fire and quickly removed the clothe he was wearing that was fire on that moment,” he said.
“This is not the first time I’m buying kerosene from the filling station, I’m surprised that the last kerosene I bought from them is adulterated.
“As I am talking to you now, my son is still at the hospital and the managing director of station who promised that he will come has not come.”
Reacting, Mr. Anthony Nwodoh, the Director, Anthobrig Nigeria Limited Filling Station, where the kerosene was purchased, said that he was not sure that Madu bought the kerosene from his station.
“Yes I was told that one man was claiming that he bought kerosene from us that exploded and burnt parts of his son’s body. But we have not received any complaint from any other person that our kerosene is adulterated as customers are still buying kerosene from us,” he said.
It would be recalled that late August, State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, directed the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and all other relevant government agencies to investigate thoroughly and determine those responsible for importing the harmful product to the State.
The order followed the unfortunate fire incidents in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, allegedly caused by adulterated kerosene sold to the victims in the area.
This was contained in a statement issued to Journalists by the Commissioner for Information, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh, in which the Governor also directed the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emmanuel Ikechukwu Obi and the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi Agujiobi, to ensure that all those who suffered any bodily injury were effectively provided with the best available medical care at the expense of the state government.
The Council Chairmen of the affected local government areas have equally been directed to carry out a detailed appraisal of the situation as it concerned their respective council areas and report back to the State government for further action.
He disclosed that the state government was deeply saddened by the reports of fatalities and grievous bodily injuries resulting from the sale of adulterated petroleum products in Nsukka and Igbo-Etiti Local Government Areas of the state.
