Create Jobs For Youths, Community Leader Urges Govt 

Some Communities in Imo State have been thrown into mourning following the tragic and painful death of over 10 persons, who were mainly breadwinners.

The tragedy happened on the early hours of Monday, 29th January, 2024, as more than 10 persons were burnt to ashes, while many men survived with severe injuries. The survivors are being treated at undisclosed inns within and outside Imo State.

It was alleged that these gas explosion victims were illegally mining gas at INDORAMA Gas Pipeline which is located at Obitti in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State when the tanker with which they were loading the product flamed and exploded.

Speaking to our reporter who called to the village where the gas explosion took place, Wednesday, a Community Leader in Obitti, Mazi Ifeanyi Amadi, explained that more than 10 persons were burnt to death with several of them sustaining severe degrees of injuries and are being treated in not yet identified hospitals within and outside Imo State.

Amadi hinted that “there is a confirmed incident that more than 10 people  were burnt to ashes, as many sustained burnt injuries. This tragic incident happened on Sunday, 28th day of January, 2024. A tanker loading Gas exploded and sparked off fire which resulted in the deaths of over 10 people”.

“We are yet to hear anything from the Imo State Government regarding measures to stop the reoccurring suicide which had continued to destroy unemployed youths who resort to bunkering as a means of getting money and livelihood. While people die, more still go into bunkering to survive poverty, governments neglect on infrastructure and employment”.

He regretted that between 2006, 2008, 2022, 2023 and 2024, more than 50 persons in Imo State had died by Pipeline Explosions. “In fact, between 2006, 2008, 2022, 2023 and 2024, over 50 persons who were breadwinners had perished in Pipeline Explosions. Poverty and lack of social amenities gave rise to these avoidable deaths”.