Locally brewed gin also known as Ogogoro is a popular drink among the poor and rural dwellers because it is cheap and within reach. But recent deaths associated with the drink raises concern on the need to adequately regulate its brewing process. In April this year at least 18 persons died in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State after consuming quantities of Ogogoro. The strange deaths were initially attributed to pesticide poisoning but a laboratory test result later revealed that the 18 persons died of methanol poisoning.
Now, the killer gin has reared its ugly head in Rivers State. The death toll rising from the consumption of adulterated local gin also known in Rivers State has increased from 38 to 66. This was made known by the Rivers State Government at a meeting with the dealers of Ogogoro in Port Harcourt.
The Federal Government and its agency, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, had banned the sale of Ogogoro in the country as a result of deaths in Rivers State. However, Permanent Secretary of the Rivers state Ministry told newsmen that the state government was worried over the increasing number of deaths despite the ban placed on the sale of the local gin. “For now the total number of deaths is up to 66 because more people are dying and it is really unfortunate. The spread has covered more Local government areas. We are very worried,” the Permanent Secretary said.
The Permanent Secretary also said the state government was working with other relevant agencies to trace and clamp down on the source of the killer gin. Leaders of the Ogogoro Sellers Union, Chief Nelson Blakk and Madam Elizabeth Kubor, who spoke on behalf of the union, expressed worry over the development, adding that their business had been affected by the ban.
