People 20 Injured, 50 Houses Burnt as Gas Pipeline Explode for Rivers State

At least 20 people sustain injury and more than 50 houses burn on Thursday after gas pipeline explode for Aleto community, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Di explosion happen around 5 p.m. along Old Bori Road. Dem report say na pipeline wey belong to Nigeria Gas Company burst cause di explosion.

Dem rush several victims go hospital, while di fire affect houses, shops, vehicles and one mechanic workshop.

One resident wey dem call Emmanuel talk say di pipeline don dey leak for weeks before di explosion happen.

E talk say, “Dis pipeline don cause injury and damage properties. Di pipeline don dey leak for about three weeks before di explosion happen today.”

E accuse community leaders say dem don inform di company about di leak, but di company no handle dia complaint well.

Daniel Chuma, wey be leader of Eleme Legislative Council, talk say e don write letter to di company and send petition to relevant authorities, including National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and Rivers State Ministry of Environment.

Chuma talk say, “We ask dem to carry out joint investigation. We no know wetin dem do before dem leave.”

E add say di explosion destroy houses and cars, and leave several people with injuries.

Chuma talk say community members don advise residents make dem stay away from di affected area to prevent more people from getting hurt or dying.

Meanwhile, Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) don call on federal and state governments, together with relevant agencies, to help people wey di incident affect.

Di group Executive Director, Fyneface Dumnamene, talk say, “We dey use dis opportunity to call on relevant authorities, Rivers State Government, Ministry of Environment, NOSDRA, Federal Government and all di agencies wey dey handle oil spills and explosions to come help di people of Aleto. Dis na serious incident.”

Di group talk say dem never independently confirm whether anybody die for di incident. Dem also urge NOSDRA to identify di company wey dey operate di pipeline and investigate wetin cause di explosion.