Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River, has described the devastation caused by a gas station explosion in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, as extensive and deeply troubling, following his visit to the affected area.
The governor made the remarks on Saturday after inspecting the scene of the incident, which occurred in the Edibe Edibe area of Calabar South Local Government Area earlier in the day.
During his visit, Otu assessed the scale of destruction and expressed concern over the impact on both residents and property.
He noted that the level of damage witnessed was alarming and required urgent attention from the government.
“What I’ve seen here is shocking. It is a huge, huge damage,” the governor stated while addressing those present at the scene.
He also questioned the appropriateness of situating such facilities within residential neighbourhoods, stressing that stricter regulatory measures must be enforced to prevent similar incidents in the future.
According to him, gas-related facilities should not be located in densely populated areas, adding that authorities must take deliberate steps to ensure compliance with safety standards going forward.
The governor further disclosed that several victims of the explosion were receiving treatment in hospitals, while a number of houses had either been completely destroyed or severely damaged by the blast.
He assured residents that the state government would respond swiftly to the situation, emphasizing that efforts were already underway to address the immediate needs of those affected.
“We have several casualties in the hospital, and people’s houses have been damaged. Government is going to act quickly,” he said.
Otu also announced that the state government would provide free medical care for all those injured in the explosion.
In addition, he said compensation would be considered for individuals and families who suffered losses as a result of the incident.
“We will take care of them. We are providing free medical treatment for those affected and will also look into compensation to help them return to their normal lives as quickly as possible,” he assured.
The explosion, which occurred at a filling station, left multiple residents with varying degrees of injuries and caused panic across the surrounding community.
Eyewitnesses recounted hearing a loud blast that sent shockwaves through the area, forcing residents and passersby to flee for safety as flames spread across parts of the facility.
Nearby buildings were also affected, with properties sustaining significant damage from the explosion.
