by The Kolo-Otueke-Bayelsa Palm road in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa State is under threat due to huge gas leakage from a pipeline operated by Nigeria Agip Oil Company.
Residents told journalists who visited the scene of the incident that there was an explosion late Monday night that may have resulted in the leakage of the gas pipeline.
Mr. Alagoa Morris, Head of Bayelsa Field Office, Niger Delta Resource Center of Environmental Rights Action and Friends of the Earth, ERA/FoEN, told journalists that this was the second time the incident occurred.
Mr. Morris, however, stated that there were indications that the incident was caused by a detonated explosive, indicating that the pipeline’s security was inadequate.
He stated that the gas leak is a possible threat to human and environmental health.
He said that NOSDRA had already visited the site, and he hoped that other relevant agencies, such as the Ministry of Environment, would also visit and cordon off the area.
The Nigeria Agip Oil Company said that a few days after repairing the gas pipeline, it was blown up by suspected vandals.
In a statement, the company stated that it is actively trying to depressurize the pipeline in attempts to fix it.
As of Tuesday, the fire at the site had not been extinguished, causing the surrounding vegetation to wither.
The Commissioner for Environment Bayelsa State, Mr. Iselemo Gbaranbiri could not be reached for reaction as of the time of filing in this report.
Source: radionigeria
