Leaders of Eleme Local Government Area in Rivers State have called for the urgent replacement of ageing gas pipelines operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), following an explosion in Aleto community on Thursday.
The demand followed a visit by the Managing Director of NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited, Engineer Audu Ibrahim, to the palace of Eleme’s traditional ruler on Saturday.
The visit aimed to express sympathy with residents affected by the incident.
According to a statement from the council’s media team, Ibrahim assured the community that the company would investigate the cause of the explosion and take steps to prevent a recurrence.
He also commended the traditional ruler and Aleto residents for maintaining peace. He said their cooperation would support restitution and the remediation of the affected site.
However, Eleme Local Government Chairman, Chief Obarilomate Ollor, and the member representing Eleme Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Aforji Igwe Obe, raised concerns about the condition of the company’s facilities.
The two leaders described the infrastructure as obsolete and called for its immediate replacement.
They said replacing the ageing pipelines was necessary to protect lives and the environment and prevent further incidents.
The Eleme leaders made the demand while receiving the NNPC delegation at the palace of His Majesty King Dr Philip Osaro Obele, JP, Oneh-Eh Eleme XI.
The company has pledged to investigate the explosion. However, the statement did not provide a timeline for the investigation or specify when the proposed replacement of the pipelines would begin.
The incident has renewed calls from local leaders for urgent action on the condition of gas infrastructure in the area.
