Gas Explosion: Eleme Communities Urge NNPC To Replace Obsolete Facilities

Communities in Eleme local government area of Rivers State are calling on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to replace their obsolete facilities in the area

They said the call became necessary following the gas explosion at a pipeline belonging to the NNPCL Gas Servicing Company, (NGSC) at Aleto community in Eleme LGA.

Leaders of the communities made the call when the managing director of NNPCL Gas Infrastructure Limited, Engr. Audi Ibrahim visited the King of Eleme, Dr. Philip Obele at his palace.

The communities spoke through the chairman of Eleme LGA, Chief Obarimate Ollor and the member representing Eleme Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Aforji Igwe-Obe.

The communities expressed concerns over the company’s operations and conditions of their facilities.

They described the facilities as obsolete and called for more urgent replacement to safeguard lives, protect the environment and prevent future incidents.

In his remarks, Engr. Ibrahim pledged that the company will investigate the cause of the incident and take necessary steps to avoid reoccurrence.

He commended the traditional ruler and the community for maintaining peace, noting that their cooperation will facilitate restitution and remediation sites.

Meanwhile, residents of the Aleto community in the Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State have begun rehabilitating their houses and business centres following a gas explosion in the community on Thursday.

No fewer than 20 persons were injured while several properties were destroyed in the incident that occurred along a pipeline belonging to the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC).