BY BONNY AMADI
A fire incident has been reported on a gas pipeline along Soku-Abua-Rumuji right-of-way in Rivers State.
The incident comes less than a week after a fire incident occurred on the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement on Sunday, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) described it as an explosion at the Soku gas facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, heightening concerns over the security of oil infrastructure in the region.
The grassroots NGO, which operates in the Niger Delta, disclosed that its youth volunteers raised the alarm after hearing a loud blast and seeing fireballs at the Soku facility, which is operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited.
“The explosion was accompanied by fireballs, which could be seen rising from the facility,” YEAC-Nigeria stated in a release signed by its Executive Director, Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface.
“The fire is still ongoing as of the time of this report,” the statement noted.
However, the General Secretary of the community, Mr. Witness Alasia, has denied reports of an explosion at the facility.
In a statement on behalf of the community leadership, Alasia dismissed the reports, saying, “It is disheartening and worrisome that people will mischievously misinform the public with a baseless and untrue story. Soku Gas Plant is safe and in perfect working condition.”
He, however, confirmed a fire outbreak along the Soku-Abua-Rumuji gas pipeline right of way but stated that the cause remains unknown.
According to him, the company has not issued any information yet regarding the incident.
The latest explosion ranks as the third of such fire incidents in oil-rich Rivers State within a week, raising serious concerns about the security of oil infrastructure in the region.
The first explosion occurred in Ogoni, followed by another in Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
These incidents were referenced by President Bola Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast on March 18, during which he declared a six-month emergency rule in Rivers State, partly due to repeated attacks on the region’s oil infrastructure.
Responding to the security breaches, the President suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, citing the governor’s failure to safeguard oil facilities.
Meanwhile, YEAC-Nigeria has called for an immediate investigation into the Soku incident.
The group urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to carry out a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to determine the cause of the incident and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
“Perpetrators of this crime must be held accountable in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021,” YEAC-Nigeria said.
Efforts to reach the Rivers State Police Command’s Spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, for comment were unsuccessful. She requested that the inquiry be sent via text message, citing her busy schedule.
Recommended for you
Leave a Reply
Leave a Reply
