Presidential Aspirant Laments the Ohaji/ Egbema Tragedy
PRESS STATEMENT
A frontline Presidential Aspirant of the Accord, Dr Solomon Wining has lamented the death of over 100 youths, who were burnt beyond recognition at Ohaji Egbema/Ndoni council areas in Imo and Rivers States respectively at the site of an illegal oil refinery.
Dr. Wining, who was moved to tears, over the incident, described the loss of over one hundred youths in the fire outbreak as monumental.
In a press statement from Dr. Solonom Uchenna Wining Project, 2023 Media Directorate, the foremost aspirant regretted that the many youths died in the incident which he said could have been avoided if the needful was done by the authorities concerned, and called on Nigeria youths not to be foolhardy because of the present harsh economic situation in the country.
“This is wickedness; this is horrible and economic sabotage, I, therefore, call on the youths not to engage in shady deals that could diminish their lives.There as so many legitimate means of livelihood one could do in order to earn a living”. Dr. Wining stated.
Dr Wining regretted that virtually every youth at the illegal refinery site was burnt, and that those who survived the explosion and were rushed to the hospital could not make it as they died hours later in the hospital.
“I learned that no single person that survived, as those who were rushed to hospital died the following day, and thus increased the number of casualties. It is more disturbing that the avoidable incident befell Imo state at a time the state and South East region were losing many youths due to mounting insecurity.
“It is also disheartening that someone could operate an illegal refinery, for-profit-making, not minding the environmental hazard the illegal business could cause the host communities. I hereby commiserate with the people of Imo and the Rivers States, Ohaji/Egbema, Ndoni Council Areas respectively, as well as all the affected immediate families as I pray that God will console them”.
Dr Wining disclosed that if given the mandate, his administration will partner with the rural dwellers to assist in checkmating the activities of economic saboteurs, provide employment opportunities for the youths to discourage them from embarking on such suicidal missions and from sabotaging their fatherland.
The presidential aspirant called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the owner of the illegal refineries, noting that his arrest and prosecution would serve as a deterrent to others who are in the illegal business.
Signed:
Nze Nweke Nweke
*Ag. *Head, Media Directorate,
SUWIP, 2023
