Senate Initiates Probe into Bayelsa Gas Explosion

The Senate has investigated a recent massive explosion near the Gbarian-Ubie Gas Processing Facility in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, and its subsequent environmental pollution.

The probe is in response to a motion titled “Massive explosion close to Gbarian-Ubie Gas Processing Facility in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, and pollution of the environment: The need for urgent action,” sponsored by Senator Benson Konbowei, representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District.

The explosion, which occurred on May 14, 2024, reportedly led to a vast fire and panic among residents.

Senator Konbowei noted that the Gbarain-Ubie Gas Processing Facility was a crucial gas project in Nigeria, supplying gas to the Bonny Terminal for export and contributing significantly to the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

The Senate mandated its Committees on Petroleum Upstream, Downstream, Gas, Niger Delta Affairs, Health, and Environment to conduct a comprehensive investigation; and propose ways to address the fallout of the incident and prevent future occurrences.

The Upper chamber also called on the federal government to immediately safeguard the environment and protect national economic assets.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, described the explosion as “a very worrisome situation”, adding that the facility brings foreign exchange to Nigeria.

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Oluwatobi Odeyinka

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