Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Another explosion has taken place at the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area barely one week after a similar incident on the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The explosion was confirmed on Sunday by the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), an NGO with links in the Niger Delta region.
Addressing Journalists in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, YEAC said that it was notified by its youth volunteers about an early morning explosion at the Soku oil facility operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited.
“An explosion accompanied by fireballs was heard and seen in the sky from the facility area, which is difficult to reach. The fire is still ongoing as of the time of this report,” it said partly.
Recall that the first explosion in Ogoni further escalated the crisis in Rivers, with President Bola Tinubu subsequently declaring a state of emergency and suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Consequently on the latest occurrence, YEAC-Nigeria has called for a thorough probe, urging the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct a joint probe to determine the cause.
“Perpetrators of this crime must be held accountable in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021,” the group said in its statement.