The most recent explosion occurred two days ago around Bonny’s Cawthorne Channel.
The Senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District, Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, has called for an investigation into the recent explosions at various NNPCL facilities within OML 18, affecting Bonny and Degema Local Government Areas.
The most recent explosion occurred two days ago around Bonny’s Cawthorne Channel, following a similar incident reported just two weeks ago in Bukuma (Agum) in Degema Local Government Area.
Senator Harry-Banigo who described the frequency of these incidents as alarming, said, “The recurrence of these fire outbreaks within the same OML 18 location in such a short time is deeply troubling, adding that “any responsible society, organization, or institution should consider this a matter of grave concern.”
The Senator, who is the immediate past Deputy Governor of Rivers State, urged NNPCL — the operators of OML 18 to launch a comprehensive investigation into the explosions.
Photo of one of the scenes of the explosion.
She demanded that the probe must “identify both the immediate and underlying causes of the explosions and fires, as well as their impact on the environment and the livelihoods of host communities.”
While acknowledging that host communities have a role in safeguarding oil installations within their territory, the Senator stressed that operators must also uphold the highest safety standards in their operations.
She urged NNPCL to take swift and decisive action to prevent further hazardous incidents, which continue to pose a threat to the environment and the well-being of affected communities.
