Bayelsa communities petition NNPC over gas explosion, accuse operator of negligence

Chiefs of Nembe communities in Nembe Local Council of Bayelsa State have sent a protest letter to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over the gas explosion, which caused panic and tension in the communities.

The community chiefs alleged gross negligence and concealment by Aiteo Exploration Company, operator of the 97 kilometres Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) that exploded at the early hours of Saturday, displacing scores of indigenes.

In a statement, their spokesman, Nengi James Eriworio, alleged that the refusal of the oil exploration company to inform the monitoring authority of National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and other relevant agencies for verification and necessary action within two hours of occurrence was a case of concealment.

“On behalf of Nembe Chiefs Council, I wish to call on the NNPC to sanction Aiteo Company for concealing a high level of leakage and a gas explosion at their facility at Nembe Creek,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the management of Aiteo Exploration Ltd, which confirmed the explosion, said the resulting fire from the explosion had been put out and no life was lost.

The Public Relations Manager of Aiteo, Mr. Ndiana-Abasi Matthew, said: “There is no official statement at the moment but I can gladly inform you that the fire had been contained and no lives were lost.”