Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has visited the site of a gas explosion in the Edibe Edibe area of Calabar South Local Government Area, describing the incident as devastating and assuring victims of swift government support.
During his visit on Saturday evening, the governor inspected the extent of the damage and expressed concern over the significant destruction caused, noting that both lives and property were affected.
He described the scene as deeply troubling, emphasizing the massive scale of the damage caused by the explosion.
Otu also raised concerns about the location of such facilities within residential neighborhoods, calling for stricter safety regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The governor revealed that several victims are currently receiving treatment in hospitals, while numerous homes have been destroyed or badly damaged. He assured residents that the government would respond promptly to their needs.
He further announced that the state government would provide free medical care for those injured and consider compensation for individuals who suffered losses, with the aim of helping them recover and rebuild their lives.
Meanwhile, one of the victims, Mrs. Rosa Asuquo, recounted her experience, saying she returned to find chaos after being alerted by her children about the fire. She claimed attempts to contact the fire service were unsuccessful and that no immediate rescue response was available until the fire eventually subsided on its own.
She highlighted the extent of the destruction, noting that many properties were lost and several people were injured, and urged the government to support affected residents and improve emergency response systems.
