Consequently, the Obio/Akpor council chairman, Chijioke Ihunwo, has banned gas retailing within residential places in the council.

He announced the ban during his visit to Sonabel Hospital where some of the victims who had high degree burns are receiving medical treatments.

Ihunwo also announced the setting up of a task force to monitor compliance and enjoined Community Development Committees (CDC) chairmen and you leaders to join in the campaign to forestall reoccurrence.

During the visit, the council chairman sympathized with the victims and their relatives, promising the council would foot their hospital bills.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju who visited the survivors at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Old GRA, Port Harcourt,sympathized with the victims.

He said the  Area Commander in charge of Oroazi community has also visited victims of the explosion in other hospitals.

He advised  residents of the state to be safety conscious when using gas cylinder.

The police boss also urged residents to report to relevant authorities when the persons dealing on refilling gas are engaged in unsafe acts capable of endangering people’s lives. He described the condition of the patients as pathetic and worrisome while praying for their quick recovery.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital,  Chizindu Alikor, who received the CP and his team, said 16 persons were brought in on Saturday, January 4, 2025.

Alikor disclosed that 12 were adults and four children, adding that the hospital has been working tirelessly to ensure they are stable.

Alikor disclosed that with the full support from Rivers State Government, Commissioner for Health, and other well-meaning individuals, the  hospital is attending to the victims.