TheNewsGuru

Tag: Gas Explosion

  • Gas explosion: NGC commences repairs, as community expresses dissatisfaction

    The Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) on Tuesday said it had commenced the process of fixing the exploded gas pipeline at Ugbokodo community in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta.

    Mr Kingsley Onaipia, an official of NANPIST Venture, the company clearing the affected area for proper assessment and evaluation of the damaged pipeline disclosed this to newsmen at the site.

    He said that the indigenous firm was hired by NGC to clear the area before the commencement of repairs on the pipeline.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the NGC gas pipeline exploded on January 11, at about 4:00 a.m.

    TheNewsGuru also reports that Swamp boogies and others heavy-duty equipment have already commenced work at the site afetr the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) directed immediate repair works.

    “We are on site at the instance of NGC, to enable the management to ascertain the extent of damage of the gas pipeline.

    “We have commenced evacuation and as soon as we conclude, proper repairs will commence immediately by the company’s management,’’ he said.

    An official of the NGC, who craved anonymity also confirmed the development to newsmen.

    “We want to effect repairs on the damaged pipeline as soon as possible,’’ the official said.

    Reacting, the Spokesman of Ugbokodo community, Mr Tobore Ajisha, commended NGC for its quick response.

    Ajisha, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the process, noting that the community was not consulted before mobilising the contractor to site.

    He also said that there was another damaged gas pipeline about 200 meters away from the residential area of the community and urged the NGC to quickly effect repairs before it caused another disaster.

    “NGC has come to see us, they promised to come back after they have ascertained the extent of the damage.

    “But we are not satisfied with the step taken so far because they did not tell us before mobilising to site.

    “Although, no life was lost in the incident, the extent of damage was massive with thick flame that consumed fishing nets, boats and other items in the creek,’’ he said.

    The community spokesman, however, said that there was the need to compensate the people for the damage, assuring NGC of a peaceful atmosphere for negotiation.

     

  • Gas explosion: NNPC directs immediate repair works

    Gas explosion: NNPC directs immediate repair works

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has directed that repair works should be executed immediately on the ruptured Escravos to Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) that caused explosion at Ugbokodo on Thursday morning.

    Group Managing Director (GMD) of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, acknowledged the development yesterday and directed immediate repair work on the ELPS.

    “The strategic Escravos to Lagos Pipeline System was affected by a fire at a segment along Egbokodo-Omadino, in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State in the early hours of Thursday.

    “Dr. Maikanti Baru, has directed that repair works should be executed immediately,” the NNPC said in a statement.

    TheNewsGuru reports the explosion happened at the Ugbokodo Gas Riser/Manifold situated in Okpẹ Local Government Area of Delta State contrary to what the NNPC said in its statements.

    Meanwhile, the NNPC on Friday explained that routine gas supply for power generation is not affected by the fire incident as the NNPC GMD had directed that an alternative pipeline be re-streamed immediately to ensure gas supply to power plants in parts of the country is not disrupted.

    “Already, gas supply into the network via alternative sources has been ramped up ahead of ongoing repair works on the affected segment as directed by the GMD,” the NNPC said.

    Apart from being the main source of gas supply to some crucial power plants, ELPS feeds the West Africa Gas Pipeline System.

     

  • Community to FG: We will all die if this pending gas explosion should happen

    Ugbokodo, an Okpe community in Delta state, has raised alarm of a pending gas explosion and appealed to the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led state governments to intervene to avoid the loss of lives and properties.

    Sealight Ogholemu, an Ugbokodo community leader, in an interview with TheNewsGuru, raised the alarm after a gas pipeline exploded this morning at the Ugbokodo Gas Riser/Manifold, owned and operated by the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC).

    Eyewitnesses told TheNewsGuru that the explosion occurred in the river that runs through Ubeji, Egbokodo, Ugbokodo, Jeddo, Ughoton and Omadino communities, and where the Ugbokodo Gas Riser/Manifold is situated.

    “This happened due to leakage that happened for some time now. NGC promised to work on it on the 8th of January, but they failed. Even, yesterday we were expecting them; still, they failed.

    “There is another leakage now. If this one explodes, everybody will die because this one is on the land. The people of Ugbokodo, Jeddo, Ughoton, Ubeji, Ajantitor, Ifie, etc, are not safe,” Ogholemu said, attributing the occurrence to negligence by the NGC.

    The deafening sound of the explosion and the massive fire that followed was first heard and seen at about 4:30 am. The fierce and raging fire caused panic among residents in the communities.

    This “has led to heavy damage in the river and land; a lot of people running for their lives. Mothers looking for their children, crying, and it is like the end time trumpet,” Ogholemu lamented.

    Agbi Eguriase Andrew said the fire and the deafening noise had since subsided hopefully after gas supply to the line was cut off.

    Ogholemu pleaded with the management of the NGC and the federal and state governments to intervene to avoid a pending explosion.