At least 20 people have been injured and about 50 houses destroyed following a gas pipeline explosion in Aleto community, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, amid claims that the pipeline had been leaking for weeks.
The explosion occurred around 5pm on Thursday along Old Bori Road, involving a pipeline belonging to the Nigeria Gas Company.
Several victims were taken to hospitals for treatment, while shops, a mechanic workshop and parked vehicles were also reportedly damaged.
A resident, identified as Stanley, said the pipeline had been leaking for about three weeks before the explosion.
“The pipeline has caused injuries and damaged properties. This pipeline has been leaking for about three weeks before the explosion today,” he said.
He alleged that community leaders had notified the company about the leak but that no effective measures were taken to prevent the incident.
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 leak before Thursday’s explosion.
Chuma said the council had also petitioned the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, with the police copied, seeking urgent intervention and a joint investigation.
“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.
He alleged that no representative of the company had visited the scene after the explosion.
Chuma said community members had cordoned off the affected area with barrier tape and warned residents to stay away to prevent further casualties.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) also confirmed the incident, reporting that several people had been hospitalised.
The organisation’s Executive Director, Fyneface Dumnamene, called on the Rivers State Government, the Federal Government, NOSDRA and other relevant agencies to urgently assist affected residents.
He said the fire was still burning when the organisation issued its statement and had spread to surrounding buildings.
The cause of the explosion and the full extent of the damage had yet to be officially established.
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