Tension as another explosion rock gas facility in Rivers

Barely a week after a major explosion rocked the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana LGA, another blast has struck the Soku gas facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), an NGO with grassroots networks across the Niger Delta, confirmed the incident on Sunday.

In a statement, YEAC’s Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said reports from youth volunteers indicated that an early morning explosion at the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited-operated facility sent fireballs into the sky. The fire was still burning as of the time of reporting.

The cause of the explosion remains unclear, with speculation pointing to equipment failure, sabotage, or a deliberate attack.

This marks the third explosion in Rivers State in under a week.

The first occurred in Ogoni, while the second, in Oga/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, was referenced by President Bola Tinubu in his March 18 address, during which he declared a six-month state of emergency in the state.

In response to these incidents, the President suspended the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly, citing their alleged failure to protect vital oil infrastructure.

YEAC-Nigeria has called for an urgent investigation into the Soku explosion, urging the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) and ensure accountability under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.