112 Still Missing in Jos water explosion

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that 112 injured persons were still on admission in four hospitals, following last Saturday’s explosion of Chlorine cylinder used for water treatment at
Lamingo plant of Plateau State Water Board. The four hospitals are Jos University Teaching Hospital, Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Plateau Specialist and OLA Hospitals, all in Jos.

NEMA North-Central Coordinator, Alhaji Abdulsalami Mohammed, said three more persons had died, in addition to the initial five killed by the incident that also razed down many houses around the area.

Mohammed said: “The situation has normalised, but the area has been cordoned off to ward off further danger.”He described the incident as “very unfortunate,” and said the community around the water treatment plant would be relocated.He said: “The community around the plant will be relocated.

In fact, we have just been told that the community was initially relocated and compensated, but started coming back gradually.“This time, once they are relocated, we shall make sure that no one is allowed to return.”

Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong has expressed shock at the incident and sympathised with families of the eight persons killed after they inhaled excess chlorine. Lalong said the situation had been contained and safety precautions taken.

According to him, adequate steps to cleanse the main water pipes and ensure water supplied through them is safe for consumption.


Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. Commiserating with the families of the victims, the government and people of the state, President Buhari said an investigation into the incident was necessary to avoid a recurrence. He said: “The investigation should unravel the facts as to whether this was just an accident. Whatever the case, we need to get to the bottom of this incident.