An ad-hoc committee set up by the Rivers State House of Assembly to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths recorded in the state as a result of the consumption of locally brewed dry gin, has concluded that excessive methanol contained in the local gin was the real cause of the deaths.
So far, no fewer than 71 persons have died in at least five local government areas in the state after consuming the poisonous locally brewed gin, popularly called Ogogoro or kai-kai.
Chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Hon. Michael Okechukwu Chinda, who disclosed this on Monday while presenting the report of the committee on the floor of the House of Assembly in Port Harcourt, said they arrived at the conclusion following an investigation into the matter by officials of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Chinda, told the House that it was revealed in the course of the committee’s investigation that greedy dealers decided to use methanol to produce the local gin due to shortage in supply of ethanol, pointing out that the state has 80 reported cases, with 70 deaths in five communities and local governments, including, Ahoada West, Woji in Obio/Akpor, Abuloma in PHA LGA, Gokana and Bonny, respectively.
He said, “The actors of the State Ministry of Health acted promptly by taking those affected to Bori General Hospital, Woji Health Centre and Bonny General Hospital and a private hospital in Abuloma.
