April 23, (THEWILL) – At least 100 persons have been reported dead following a fire outbreak at an illegal oil refinery at Abizi community in Egbema in Ohaji/Egbema council area of Imo State, on Friday night.
The State Government has also declared the alleged owner of the illegal refinery, one Okenze Onyenwoke, wanted.
The state commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Hon Goodluck Nana Opiah, during visit to the scene of the incident, said he could not confirm the actual figure of the death.
Opiah said over 150 persons were also injured, while many youths lost their lives in the incident.
He said: “At the moment, I can’t really confirm the number of the deceased because many family members have removed the corpses of so many others.
“Apart from this calamity, the act has destroyed the aquatic life of the community. Our people before now are predominantly farmers and fishermen.
“Look around, you’ll find smokes coming from this illegal act. If this is not enough for any person to stop, I think the community is heading for what I can’t describe.
”It is sad and unfortunate and a lesson for our youths who are desperate for quick wealth and this is the negative consequences of acquiring fast wealth.
“The activities of this illegal refineries have caused damages of the aquatic life and farmlands in our communities ,this is very unnecessary death.”
Opiah disclosed that most of the illegal refineries are not run by indigenes of Ohaji/ Egbema council, but from outside Imo state.
“Most of these illegal refineries are not from Imo state, but they are as far as Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta and Edo states and we have continued to warn our people not to accommodate them because they are sabotaging our community for their selfish aims.
“The state government has declared one Okenze Onyenwaoke, who is the owner of the illegal refinery wanted and he should make himself available to the police immediately”, he added.
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