Rivers killer gin: Death toll hits 66

Rivers State Government said on Wednesday that
28 more deaths had been recorded, following the
continued consumption of the killer local gin by
unsuspecting consumers, thus increasing the
figure from 38 to 66.
The Director of Public Health in the State
Ministry of Health, Dr. Nnana Onyekwere,
disclosed this in Port Harcourt shortly after
dealers in local gin, popularly known as Ogogoro or
Kai –kai, met with the Permanent Secretary of the
ministry, Dr. Somieari Harry, on the burning issue
in the state.
Onyekwere told newsmen that apart from the 38
deaths announced last week, health workers on the
field discovered that more people had died after
consuming local gin.
He pointed out that apart from the deaths
recorded in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area,
more persons, who drank the poisonous product in
Bonny, Port Harcourt, Gokana and Ahoada West,
had also died.
He expressed worry that despite the
enlightenment campaigns and warning for people
to stay away from local gin, many were still
consuming the product.
Explaining that the ban on sale and consumption of
Ogogoro by the state government still stands,
Onyekwere added that only total abstinence from
the product could stop the increase in deaths as a
result of the killer gin.
Onyekwere advised that those who were addicted
to local gin should go for branded hot drinks,
saying, “There are affordable hot drinks that are
branded and sealed. Those who cannot do without
drinking gin can go for them.”
He explained that places that were most affected
were riverine areas, describing such places as high
alcohol consuming areas.