A gas pipeline explosion in Aleto community, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Thursday evening has razed about 50 houses, as well as 20 people sustaining inuries
Penpushing reports that a source said the explosion occurred around 5 pm after a pipeline belonging to the Nigeria Gas Company ruptured along Old Bori Road in Aleto, adding that several victims were rushed to hospitals.
The source identified as Stanley, a resident of the area said stalls and a mechanic workshop, where cars were parked, were reportedly affected by the explosion, adding that the pipeline had been leaking for about three weeks before the explosion.
Penpushing further reports that he explained that community leaders had notified the company about the leak, but no proper measures were taken to address it, adding that most of those affected were passers-by and people doing business in the area.
The Leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, Daniel Chuma, who visited the scene, said he had written to the company about the leak and petitioned relevant authorities, but no concrete action was taken to stop it.
‘There was a leakage on another section of the Nigeria Gas Company. We wrote to them and submitted a petition to NOSDRA and the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, copying the police for urgent intervention’, Chuma said.
“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.”
Penpushing also reports that he said no representative of the company had visited the scene, adding that community members had taken steps to secure the area and prevent further casualties.
“What we have done is to cordon off the incident scene with barrier tape and ask our community people to stay away. Before now, everyone scampered for safety. The few who came were asked to stay far away to avoid any further incident,” he said.
Penpushing reports that Executive Director of Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre YEAC-Nigeria, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene confirmed the incident, adding that several people had been hospitalised, and called on relevant authorities to intervene and support affected residents.
“We are using this medium to call on the relevant authorities, the Rivers State Government, the Ministry of Environment, NOSDRA, the Federal Government and all the bodies involved in checking oil spills and gas explosions to come to the aid of Aleto people. This is a serious incident,” he said.
Penpushing further reports that Dumnamene said the fire was still burning at the time of the statement and had affected surrounding buildings, with some
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