Senate to probe Rivers pipeline explosion
By Tunde Opalana, Abuja
The Senate has set up an investigating committee to look into the causes and effects of the pipeline explosion in Komkpm community in Oyigbo Local Government of Rivers state which killed about 15 persons and wounded over 50 others.
It also charged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),
Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and other agencies in the oil and gas sector, to improve on the security of the nation’s oil pipelines as well repairing damaged pipes.
This was as it further directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to visit the scene and provide succour to those affected, aside sympathizing with the government and people of Rivers state, especially the Komkom people.
The pipeline explosion reportedly occurred when some workers from an unidentified firm were working on one of the pipelines.
These resolutions followed a motion titled: “Pipeline explosion in Komkom Town of Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers state,” sponsored by Sen. Sekibo George (Rivers East) and three others.
Leading debate on the motion, Sen. Sekibo said there was an oil pipeline explosion at Komkom Town in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers state and over 15 persons died instantly with over 50 persons receiving different level of injuries while properties worth millions of naira were consumed by the fire from the explosion.
He said that the majority of the pipelines, which are used to distribute oil from the point of exportation or national use, were laid over 50 years ago, adding that with time and usage they may have been weak in some sections.
The lawmaker said “this and other factors could be attributed to the incessant pipeline explosions in the Niger Delta Region and other areas which has been a major source of death.
“Such explosions have always brought irreparable devastating consequences on the people and the affected areas, as is often, such explosions usually change the environment and the livelihood of the people in the area.”
