HOMEF calls for shutdown of dangerous gas pipelines after Rivers explosion

The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has urged the federal government to shut down dangerous gas pipelines in Aleto, Rivers State. They want all unsafe pipelines to be decommissioned after an explosion caused damage to homes and shops and injured people.

The environmental group also wants an independent investigation into the explosion that happened on 15 October in Aleto, Eleme Local Government Area. They are asking for compensation for victims who lost property or livelihoods because of the incident.

Following a visit to the explosion site on 16 October, HOMEF said residents had reported a suspected gas leak along the same pipeline before the explosion. This raises questions about how the pipeline operator, Nigeria Gas Infrastructure Company Limited, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), responded.

This incident has raised worries about the safety of oil and gas infrastructure in Eleme. This area is known for its refineries, gas pipelines, and petrochemical facilities, where residents face risks from oil and gas activities.

Woke Ebie, the youth president of Aleto and secretary of the Eleme Youth Council Worldwide, told HOMEF that the community informed NGIC about a suspected leak before the explosion. He said representatives from the company visited and set up a barricade, but then the explosion happened the next day.

“A suspected leak happened about two weeks before this explosion. We reported it to the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company, a subsidiary of NNPC. The company representatives visited the location and erected a barricade, but the explosion occurred the following day,” Mr Ebie said.

This account raises questions about what the company found during its visit. Was the suspected leak handled properly? Was the pipeline safe to operate?

HOMEF said the situation requires more than just fixing the damaged part of the pipeline. They insist that the installation date, maintenance history, and structural safety of the pipeline must be checked before any operations can continue.

The organization is calling on the federal government to direct NGIC, NNPC, and other relevant agencies to investigate the incident. They want the findings published and any technical failures identified.

They also demand a thorough check of the affected pipeline corridor and the removal of any unsafe infrastructure.

The Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Obarilomate Ollor, also asked for a full assessment of the pipeline network. He is worried about its age and past incidents along the route.

“The pipeline could be at least 50 years old. A 50-year-old pipeline is beyond decrepit and should have been replaced or decommissioned long ago. We are concerned about its condition and about another gas leak that occurred along the same route weeks earlier,” Mr Ollor said.

He urged the federal government to direct the relevant gas operator to find out what caused the explosion, assess the damage, help victims, and provide relief materials.

He also called for a review of the pipeline network, suggesting that old infrastructure should be replaced where necessary.

HOMEF said making repairs on unsafe pipelines is not enough if the main problems are not fixed. They want regulators to look into any operational failures and impose penalties for negligence or violations.

The organization also demands medical help and fair compensation for residents whose homes and businesses were affected.

The explosion disrupted many livelihoods in the community, with traders reporting losses as they left the area.

Fasilatula Waakikeloma, who was in her shop during the explosion, is asking for government help. Another victim, Esther Bright, said she lost goods and a point-of-sale bag with about ₦100,000 while escaping.

“We are struggling here, financially, and even just to breathe. This explosion is already destroying livelihoods and pushing our households into financial distress,” she said.

The Paramount Ruler of Aleto and King of Eleme, Philip Obele, said that while the community contributes to Nigeria’s economy, they do not receive enough protection from industrial dangers.

HOMEF said the explosion shows the risks faced by communities along extractive infrastructure. They argue that preventing industrial disasters is the responsibility of operators and the institutions that regulate them.

They call for community involvement in safety checks and decisions affecting the area. They warn against treating host communities as mere routes for oil and gas transportation.

HOMEF insists that the federal government and relevant agencies must ensure that affected residents get help and that unsafe infrastructure is not used again until it is proven safe.