A gas pipeline explosion in the Aleto community, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, has injured 20 people, leaving over 50 houses destroyed.
Reports indicate the blast happened at about 5 pm, after a pipeline owned by the Nigeria Gas Company burst along Old Bori Road in Aleto.
While several victims were taken to hospitals, stalls and a mechanic workshop where cars were parked were also said to have been damaged by the explosion.
A local resident who gave his name as Stanley stated that the pipeline had been leaking for roughly three weeks prior to the explosion.
“The pipeline has caused injuries and damaged properties. This pipeline has been leaking for about three weeks before the explosion today,” he said.
He also mentioned that community leaders had informed the company about the leak, yet no appropriate steps were taken to resolve it.
He noted that the majority of those impacted were passers-by and individuals conducting business in the area.
The leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, Daniel Chuma, who visited the site, confirmed the incident and stated that he had written to the company regarding the leak and appealed to the relevant authorities, but no concrete action was taken to stop it.
Chuma said, “There was a leakage on another section of the Nigeria Gas Company. We wrote to them and submitted a petition to NOSDRA and the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, copying the police for urgent intervention.
“We asked for a joint investigation. We don’t know what they did before they left. Today, we were called to an explosion at the same Nigeria Gas Company pipeline that has destroyed over 50 houses and cars, with many casualties. People have been rushed to the hospital.”
He stated that no representative of the company had visited the scene, adding that community members had taken steps to secure the area and prevent further casualties.
“What we have done is to cordon off the incident scene with barrier tape and ask our community people to stay away.
“Before now, everyone scampered for safety. The few who came were asked to stay far away to avoid any further incident,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre has confirmed the incident, disclosing that several people had been hospitalized.
The Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene, called on relevant authorities to intervene and give aid to affected residents.
“We are using this medium to call on the relevant authorities, the Rivers State Government, the Ministry of Environment, NOSDRA, the Federal Government, and all the bodies involved in checking oil spills and gas explosions to come to the aid of Aleto people. This is a serious incident,” he said.
