Residents of Obianime-Ama Community in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State have raised concern over suspected vandalized petroleum pipeline belonging to the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in the area.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, has raised anxiety over potential environmental hazards and safety, despite efforts by community members to contain the spill and restrict vehicular and motorcycle movement around the area to prevent explosion.
Residents argued that the rupture pipeline might have been caused by vandalism, but was dismissed on that there are presence of security personnel guarding the facility nightly.
The Executive Director, Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, who confirmed the incident, calls for urgent action to avert loss of lives and property.
YEAC-Nigeria’s youth volunteers, under the One Million Youth Volunteers Network of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters in the Niger Delta, documented the incident with video evidence showing flames erupting from the pipeline.
The organization has called on relevant authorities, including the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to determine the cause of the leakage and explosion.
Fyneface emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the recurring oil spillages and explosions in the Niger Delta, particularly in Rivers State, to mitigate their adverse environmental and socio-economic impacts.
