A devastating explosion has occurred at the Soku gas pipeline along the Soku-Elok (Abua)-Rumuji-Bonny export terminal in Rivers state, barely 72 hours after retired Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator for Rivers State, held his first security meeting.
The blast triggered a fire that began late Saturday night, according to Christian Otiasah, an environmental manager in Soku community.
Otiasah confirmed that the facility is operated by Renaissance Group and disclosed that the explosion occurred between 10 pm and 11 pm on March 22.
“There was an explosion and there was an attendant fire. The fire has been put off. It was put off because the Soku gas plant is automated such that depending on the impact, it can shut down itself,” he said.
The cause of the explosion remains unknown, but Otiasah noted that it occurred along the delivery gas line, not in the gas plant.
This incident marks the third explosion at oil facilities in Rivers State within a week, intensifying concerns over the state’s oil infrastructure.
The recent string of explosions has raised alarm among stakeholders in the Niger Delta, a region already grappling with environmental degradation and security issues tied to oil production.
Persecondnews recalls that the newly appointed Administrator for the state had held a closed-door meeting with senior security officers, federal government delegation, and the state government officials on Thursday, shortly after assuming office.
Ibas was accompanied by the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, and the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 16, when he proceeded to Government House, Port Harcourt, after the meeting.
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