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.