By Tina Amanda
Another explosion has rocked an oil facility in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA), Rivers State, marking the second major incident within half a day.
The latest blast occurred on Tuesday morning at a manifold connecting the federal pipeline in the Okwawriwa area of ONELGA, sending massive flames into the sky.
Also Read: Blast Disrupts Trans-Niger Pipeline in Rivers State
Eyewitnesses reported that the affected facility transports petroleum products from Seplat, Agip, and Shell, serving ONELGA, parts of Imo State, and extending to Brass in Bayelsa State. Fortunately, the site is located away from residential areas, reducing the risk of casualties.
This explosion comes shortly after a similar incident at the Trans-Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana LGA, which is operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and transports crude oil to the Bonny Terminal.
Though the exact cause of the explosions remains unknown, authorities are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incidents. The back-to-back nature of these blasts has raised suspicions of sabotage, with stakeholders calling for a thorough investigation to uncover the root cause.
Concerns are mounting over the potential impact on the oil and gas sector, the environment, and local communities. Relevant authorities are urged to take swift action to prevent future occurrences and safeguard the region’s critical infrastructure.
