Explosion Rocks Gas Facility In Rivers State
Barely a week after a devastating explosion on the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers State has been hit by another blast—this time at the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area.
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The explosion, confirmed by the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), has further heightened fears about the security of oil infrastructure in the Niger Delta.
The explosion at the Soku oil facility, operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, was reported in the early hours of Sunday. YEAC-Nigeria, a grassroots NGO with a strong presence in the Niger Delta, revealed that its youth volunteers raised the alarm after witnessing fireballs rising from the facility.
In a statement signed by the Executive Director, Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, the organization disclosed:
“The fire is still ongoing as of the time of this report. The exact cause of the explosion remains unknown, and the facility remains difficult to access.”
Investigations are underway, with initial speculation pointing to multiple possibilities, including: Equipment failure, Sabotage and Deliberate attacks on oil infrastructure
This latest disaster marks the third explosion in Rivers State within a single week. The first occurred in Ogoni, followed by another in Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
The repeated attacks on the region’s oil infrastructure have not gone unnoticed. During his nationwide broadcast on March 18, President Bola Tinubu acknowledged the crisis and declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State.
In a bold move, the President suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, citing their failure to protect oil facilities.
These incidents underscore the urgent need for stronger security measures to safeguard Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, which remains a vital source of revenue for the country.
YEAC-Nigeria has urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to launch a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to determine the exact cause of the explosion and hold perpetrators accountable.
“Perpetrators of this crime must be held accountable in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021,” YEAC-Nigeria stated.
The frequency of these explosions has raised alarm bells within the industry, with many calling for a proactive approach to prevent further destruction and loss.
