Gas explosion: Delta Communities appeal to FG for rescue

Leaders of communities affected by gas explosion in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta have appealed to the Federal Government to rescue them from the effect of persistent gas explosions.

Mr Edwin Odudu, who spoke on behalf of the Ikpokpo, Okpele-Ama, Otogbene, Atanba and Opuedebubor Communities, made the plea on Monday in Warri.

Odudu said a fresh gas explosion occurred on the Escravos to Warri Gas pipeline owned by the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company Limited, formerly Nigerian Gas Company at Ikpokpo Community.

According to him, the leakage was noticed in the early hours of Saturday.

“There was massive emission of gas into the environment throughout the weekend before the line was shut down by the Company.

“It would be recalled that there was an earlier explosion of the same gas pipeline on Aug. 25, within the same environment.

“However, after meeting with National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) officials and community representatives, the company carried out the repairs of the leaked gas pipeline.

“This was done without carrying out a Joint Investigation Visit to ascertain the cause of the explosion.

“Even when a JIV test was later carried out, officials of the company refused to sign the relevant JIV forms,’’ he said.

Odudu said the residents of the communities were now living in fear of imminent fire outbreak from the gas explosion.

Responding, an official in the Community Relations Unit of the company who pleaded anonymity, said that there was no gas explosion in the Ikpokpo community.

“There was only a minor leakage that forced the company to shut down the pipeline.’’