River State Government says only nine people have been confirmed dead in the Monday midnight inferno at the Bonny-Bille-Nembe jetty in Port Harcourt.
The Commissioner for Special Duties, Onowu Emeka Anyasodike, said contrary to reports that dozens died only nine people have been confirmed dead.
Anyasodike stated that the fire was caused by an explosion of gas in a cylinder in a boat containing illegally refined petroleum products.
He assured that the state government, in the next two weeks, would demolish shanties around the jetty.
Eyewitnesses said that despite the onslaught against illegal artisanal refiners by the state government, the affected Jetty remained a hub for the illegal business.
At the time of filing this report, efforts were on to recover more bodies as search and rescue efforts by relevant agencies and eyewitnesses insisted that those burnt were about 30 people, including children.
River State Government says only nine people have been confirmed dead in the Monday midnight inferno at the Bonny-Bille-Nembe jetty in Port Harcourt.
The Commissioner for Special Duties, Onowu Emeka Anyasodike, said contrary to reports that dozens died only nine people have been confirmed dead.
Anyasodike stated that the fire was caused by an explosion of gas in a cylinder in a boat containing illegally refined petroleum products.
He assured that the state government, in the next two weeks, would demolish shanties around the jetty.
Eyewitnesses said that despite the onslaught against illegal artisanal refiners by the state government, the affected Jetty remained a hub for the illegal business.
At the time of filing this report, efforts were on to recover more bodies as search and rescue efforts by relevant agencies and eyewitnesses insisted that those burnt were about 30 people, including children.
