The illegal refinery in the Abaezi forest of Ohaji Egbema local government area of Imo State exploded and killed over 100 persons with several cars and properties destroyed.
A non-governmental organization, Spaces for Change, has urged the federal government to swiftly investigate the operations of the illegal Abaezi forest refinery with a view to forestalling future occurrences.
Recall that the illegal refinery in the Abaezi forest of Ohaji Egbema local government area of Imo State exploded and killed over 100 persons with several cars and properties destroyed.
Spaces for Change in a statement signed by its executive secretary, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, expressed shock at the massive fire and the avoidable death of over 100 persons at the Abaezi forest in Mbahu community.
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The statement reads in part; “Spaces for Change|S4C’s factfinding mission gathered that the explosion was a result of illegal oil and gas activities on a site allegedly owned by one Okenze Onyenwoke, a native of Abacheke community in the Abaezi Forest.
“Several eyewitness reports state that the reckless activities around the artisanal refining site caused the explosion. This is a sad and worrisome development as victims were burnt beyond recognition with several others sustaining various degrees of injuries in the fire outbreak and several cars and properties destroyed, leaving irreparable effects on the environment.
“Devastated community members are still shocked at the magnitude of the losses and blame the government for not providing adequate employment and empowerment opportunities for the youth which has pushed them towards seeking alternate sources of income.
“Spaces for Change|S4C hereby condoles with the families that lost loved ones in this unfortunate incident. We join men of goodwill to pray for a swift recovery for the injured and call for an in-depth investigation into this unfortunate incident to further unravel illegal refineries still operating in the state to forestall a repeat of this occurrence. We hope that those operating the Abaezi illegal refinery will be held accountable for these criminal activities and punished accordingly to serve as a deterrent to others.
“Accordingly, we use this opportunity to encourage host community members, particularly the youth to desist from illegal bunkering of oil, gas and other petroleum products which is a crime as stated in the Petroleum Industry Act(PIA) Section 228(a-b). We call on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Imo State government to strengthen surveillance of extractive communities and oil exploration infrastructure and create employment opportunities for the youth in these areas as this will no doubt go a long way to guarantee the safety of lives and properties in the host communities and the nation at large.”