Oil Facilities in Rivers Suffer Third Explosion Despite Emergency Rule
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In a worrying turn of events, Rivers State has witnessed its third oil facility explosion in just a week, further threatening the region’s fragile oil infrastructure.
Barely seven days after an explosion rocked the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area, another devastating incident occurred at the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area early Sunday morning. This follows an explosion at an oil facility in Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, referenced by President Bola Tinubu during his nationwide broadcast on March 18.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a grassroots non-governmental organization active in the Niger Delta region, confirmed the latest explosion, describing it as accompanied by massive fireballs visible in the sky.
According to YEAC’s Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, the fire at the Soku facility, operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, continues to burn at the time of reporting.
The cause of the Soku explosion remains uncertain, with speculations ranging from equipment failure to sabotage or deliberate attacks.
The incident at Bodo involved the Trans Niger Pipeline, a critical oil pipeline operated by Shell, while the explosion in Oga/Egbema/Ndoni further compounded fears about the region’s deteriorating infrastructure.
These incidents occur against a backdrop of political unrest in Rivers State. In his March 18 broadcast, President Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency, citing Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s failure to protect vital oil infrastructure.
The President also suspended the Rivers State House of Assembly, Deputy Governor, and Governor Fubara, following threats from youths in a viral video warning against the governor’s impeachment.
YEAC-Nigeria has called for urgent action, urging the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) at the Soku facility. The organization emphasized the need for accountability under the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.
The series of explosions underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and thorough investigations to prevent further incidents in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
With vital infrastructure at risk and political tensions mounting, Rivers State faces a precarious road ahead.
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