A pipeline owned by the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) reportedly exploded on Wednesday.
It occurred in the Obagi community of the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state.
The explosion did not cause any deaths or injuries.
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The local government chairman, Vincent Job told Channels Television on Saturday.
Job said the residents believed the explosion was due to faulty equipment.
However, he mentioned environmental damage caused by the explosion.
He further called on the federal government and the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to maintain their facilities properly.
Job said:
“Yes, it happened at Obagi, but thankfully, no life was lost. I’ve gone there myself, and during my interaction with the indigenes, they feel it’s as a result of equipment failure, though oil and gas experts may have something else to add.
“We had a very dastardly crude oil explosion at Omoku West. Yesterday too, we also had another one in a different location, that is Obagi. For us who are novices in the oil field, you will find out that some of this equipment has lasted for more than 30 or 40 years, which calls for removal.”
The residents blamed the oil company for setting up a pipeline in the community without doing a proper environmental impact assessment.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the oil company, Folu Olopade, was unavailable for comment despite several attempts to reach him.
