Gabriela Ezin, Calabar
Nearly two months after the gas explosion that rocked Edibe-Edibe community in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State, the family of seven-year-old Happiness Ekere says survival has become a painful daily struggle.
Happiness, who suffered severe burns during the March 20 explosion at Fonex Filling Station, remains on admission at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where she is receiving treatment.
Her father, Mr. Anietie Ekere, has accused the owner of the filling station of abandoning victims of the incident, saying nobody from the company has visited or supported the family since the tragedy occurred.
Speaking with journalists, the visibly distressed father said he spends thousands of naira daily on drugs, wound dressing and transportation despite his poor financial condition.
“I am a daily-paid labourer. Every day they write drugs for me to buy outside,” he lamented. “Sometimes, I spend close to N10,000 a day. I don’t know where the money is coming from anymore.”
Ekere said the burden became heavier after the family lost his 15-year-old son, Solomon Ekere, who also sustained burns in the explosion and died about a week later while receiving treatment.
“My daughter is still struggling to stand and walk properly,” he said. “After losing my son, I am scared. I just want this girl to survive.”
A member of Brotherhood of The Cross and Star, a group assisting the family, disclosed that volunteers and sympathisers have spent nearly N1 million on medication, tests and medical supplies since the incident.
The source, who preferred anonymity, explained that many prescribed drugs were unavailable at the hospital pharmacy, forcing the family to buy them from outside chemists.
“One injection costs about N13,000, while dressing the wounds can take almost N15,000,” the source said. “The father is traumatised because he already lost one child. Anytime doctors bring prescriptions, he breaks down emotionally.”
The source, however, acknowledged that the government assisted with parts of the surgery and some hospital procedures, though most daily treatment costs are still being borne by volunteers and the family.
Ekere appealed to the Cross River State Government, humanitarian organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of his daughter before her condition worsens.
“All I want now is help to save my child,” he pleaded.
