Explosion Rocks Soku Gas Pipeline in Rivers State, Despite Fubara’s Suspension

An explosion has been reported along the Soku-Elok (Abua)-Rumuji-Bonny export terminal pipeline late Saturday, March 22. Christian Otiasah, an environmental manager in the Soku community, confirmed the development, stating that the explosion triggered a fire that was later extinguished.

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,” Otiasah told theCable.

He clarified that the explosion occurred along the gas delivery line and not within the Soku gas plant. The automated system isolated the affected lines, cutting off the gas supply and subsequently putting out the fire.

It will be recalled that barely 24 hours after an explosion rocked a section of the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP) pipeline along the Bodo-Bonny road in Rivers State, another explosion was reported at a manifold connected to a federal pipeline in Omwawriwa, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA). The explosion, which occurred on Tuesday evening, led to massive flames that alarmed residents.

The affected pipeline reportedly transports crude oil from Seplat, Agip, and Shell through ONELGA and parts of Imo State to Brass in Bayelsa State.

Meanwhile, the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP) has resumed operations just three days after an explosion rocked a section of the pipeline along the Bodo-Bonny road in Rivers State. The explosion on Monday night temporarily shut down operations, raising concerns about environmental damage and oil supply disruptions.

Tony Okonedo, spokesperson for Renaissance Group, confirmed to TheCable on Wednesday that operations had resumed. He attributed the incident to “third-party interference” but did not provide further details.

The quick resumption of the pipeline’s operations led to questions about how the critical infrastructure was assessed, repaired, and recommissioned quickly.

The recent explosion incidents come at a politically charged time in Rivers State, where President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency and appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the Administrator of Rivers State following an escalating crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

This declaration sparked intense reactions, with opposition leaders, legal experts, and citizens condemning the move as unconstitutional and politically motivated.

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