Abia State Government has said that a petroleum pipeline laid about seventy years ago is responsible for the explosion that occurred in Umuololo Owaza, Ukwa West LGA of the State.
The pipeline, which is part of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11, exploded at about 1:30 am Monday, causing a serious oil spill that affected people’s homes, farms, schools, shops and livestock.
Inspecting the extent of damage, officials of the Abia State government expressed concern about the environmental impacts the explosion had on residents of Umuololo.
The State government’s delegation led by Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Asonye Ogbonna and Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Professor Joel Ogbonna, lamented that several buildings and other property were severely affected in Umuololo, though no life was lost.
Speaking at the site of the explosion, Abia State Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Professor Joel Ogbonna said that preliminary findings showed that the exploded pipeline was laid about seventy years ago and should not have remained in use by 2026.
He directed the oil company that owns the pipeline to immediately clean up the affected community and to replace the old pipeline, in order to prevent a future disaster.
Also, Abia State Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, assured the affected villagers that the Abia State government was closely monitoring the situation, saying that efforts were on to address the incident.
Ogbonna said that the administration of Governor Alex Otti is determined to protect Abia communities from environmental pollution, degradation and other safety challenges.
One of the victims of the explosion, David Nwogu, said his house was extensively damaged by the incident.
Nwogu claimed that the pipeline was laid in 1958 and was yet to receive adequate maintenance, alleging that the non-maintenance could have contributed to the explosion.
Abia Govt blames old oil pipeline for explosion in Owaza community