No fewer than 20 people have been injured and about 50 houses destroyed in a gas pipeline explosion that happened in Aleto community, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The explosion occurred around 5pm on Thursday after a pipeline belonging to the Nigeria Gas Company reportedly ruptured along Old Bori Road in the community.
Several victims were rushed to hospitals for treatment, while shops, a mechanic workshop and vehicles parked in the area were also reportedly affected by the explosion.
A resident, who identified himself as Stanley, alleged that the pipeline had been leaking for about three weeks before the incident.
He said community leaders had notified the company about the leak but that adequate measures were allegedly not taken to prevent the explosion.
According to him, most of those affected were passers-by and people conducting businesses in the area.
The Leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, Daniel Chuma, who visited the scene, said he had written to the company and petitioned relevant authorities over the pipeline leak before the explosion.
Chuma disclosed that the council had petitioned the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency and the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, with the police copied, seeking urgent intervention.
He said the community had also requested a joint investigation into the reported leak.
“We asked for a joint investigation. We don’t know what they did before they left. Today, we were called to an explosion at the same Nigeria Gas Company pipeline that has destroyed over 50 houses and cars, with many casualties. People have been rushed to the hospital,” he said.
Chuma expressed concern that no representative of the company had visited the scene as of the time he spoke.
He added that community members had cordoned off the affected area with barrier tape and warned residents to keep away to prevent further casualties.
Meanwhile, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) confirmed the incident and said several victims had been hospitalised.
The organisation’s Executive Director, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, called on the Rivers State Government, the Federal Government, environmental authorities and other relevant agencies to intervene and provide assistance to affected residents.
He described the incident as serious and urged the authorities to take immediate steps to protect lives and property in Aleto community.
Dumnamene also disclosed that the fire was still burning at the time of his statement, with surrounding buildings affected.
