The General Manager of Adapalm Oil Company, located in Ohaji/Egbema Local Council of Imo State, Dr. Goddy Esom Obodo, has confirmed that one worker died and five injured during the industrial accident at the state-owned oil palm outfit.
This was contained in a statement signed by his media aide, Ompadec Chigozie Nwosu, and made available to The Guardian.
According to the statement, Obodo urged members of the public to disregard any false information or rumours alleging that seven persons died.
“The General Manager of Adapalm Nigeria Limited, Ohaji, Dr. Goddy Esom Obodo, has urged members of the public to completely disregard the unfounded rumours sponsored by enemies of the state that seven persons died during an industrial mishap at the company.
“Only five persons were injured, after which one person died at the hospital while responding to treatment. Others were fully given medication.
“An industrial accident took place in Adapalm on Thursday afternoon. The door of the steriliser was forced open by pressure while fruit cooking was going on, leading to explosion that wounded five persons. The Adapalm management quickly rushed the victims to St. Anthony Hospital, Amafor, near the factory for first aid and later moved them to Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri. The patients are responding to treatment but, one just gave up this morning.”
Obodo, who expressed shock and sympathy over the ugly incident involving human life, maintained that it was not as a result of human error, but rather a natural disaster, adding that engineers are working round the clock to ascertain the cause of the industrial mishap with a view to finding a lasting solution.
