Just In-Concerns Mount as More Explosions Rock Oil/Gas Facilities in Rivers
Just In-Concerns Mount as More Explosions Rock Oil/Gas Facilities in Rivers As the dust over the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State that sacked elected officials is yet to die down, another explosion has rocked the Soku oio facility in Akuku Toru Council Area of the state.
The explosion is the third such incident in the state within a week. The blast, which was confirmed by the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a grassroots organization active in the Niger Delta region, has raised concerns about the safety and security of oil and gas facilities in the area.
According to a statement signed by the Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, the explosion occurred early in the morning and was reported by the group's network of youth volunteers. The blast was accompanied by a loud explosion and fireballs, which were observed in the sky above the area. The exact cause of the explosion is still unknown, but speculation suggests that it may have been due to equipment failure, sabotage, or a deliberate attack. The incident has sparked widespread concern and calls for an immediate investigation into the matter.
Other blasts include the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area, and another incident in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. The frequency and severity of these incidents have raised questions about the ability of the state government to safeguard critical oil infrastructure. In response to these developments, President Bola Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the alleged failure of the state government to protect oil and gas facilities. The President also suspended the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Deputy Governor, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, pending an investigation into the matter.
The decision was made after a viral video surfaced where some youths threatened to resist any attempt to impeach the governor. The move has been seen as an effort to restore order and stability in the state, which has been plagued by violence and insecurity in recent months. YEAC-Nigeria has called for an immediate investigation into the Soku explosion and urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to carry out a Joint Investigation Visit to determine the cause of the incident. The group has also emphasized that those responsible for the explosion must be brought to justice in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021. "The people of Rivers State and the Niger Delta region deserve to know the truth about these explosions and the measures being taken to prevent such incidents in the future. "We urge the federal government and the relevant agencies to take immediate action to address the root causes of these explosions and ensure that those responsible are held accountable," they said. The PIA, which was signed into law in 2021, provides a framework for the regulation of the petroleum industry in Nigeria. The law establishes clear guidelines for the operation of oil and gas facilities, including measures to prevent accidents and ensure environmental protection. As the investigation into the Soku explosion continues, there are growing concerns about the impact of the incident on the environment and local communities. The Niger Delta region, where the explosion occurred, is already heavily polluted due to decades of oil spills and gas flaring.
The incident has also raised questions about the role of the federal government in ensuring the safety and security of oil and gas facilities in the region. The government has been criticized for its handling of the crisis, with some accusing it of being slow to respond to the incidents.
