Abia inspects Owaza pipeline explosion site, vows against recurrence

Abia State Government has carried out an on-the-spot assessment of the pipeline explosion that occurred at Umuololo Owaza in Ukwa West Local Government Area of the state, assuring affected residents of its commitment to addressing the situation and preventing future occurrences.

The explosion involved a pipeline on Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11, operated by the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

Leading the assessment team were Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, Commissioner for Environment and Joel Ogbonna, Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

They were accompanied by Ijeoma Iheukwumere, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment and other government officials.

Speaking during the visit, Ogbonna said that the State Government remained focused on protecting lives and the environment, while supporting legitimate business activities across the State.

“The Abia State Government, under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti, is committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive while ensuring environmental sustainability and the safety of our people,” he said.

The commissioner noted that the incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Monday, June 22, when movement within the area was minimal, a development he said helped avert a greater tragedy.

“We are thankful that no lives were lost. Although a number of buildings and properties were badly affected, the situation could have been far worse. Government is closely monitoring developments and working with relevant stakeholders to ensure the matter is properly addressed,” he added.

He also appealed to residents and victims of the incident to remain calm, assuring them that efforts were underway to provide lasting solutions.

Joel Ogbonna, Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, attributed the explosion to equipment failure, raising concerns about the age and condition of the affected pipeline.

According to him, pipelines are typically expected to be replaced after about 25 years of service, but the Owaza pipeline had reportedly been in use for more than 70 years.

“When critical infrastructure exceeds its expected lifespan without adequate replacement, the risk of failure increases significantly. The company responsible must immediately begin remediation of the affected area and replace the aging pipeline to prevent a recurrence,” he said.

For many residents, the incident has renewed concerns about the safety of oil facilities operating within their communities.

David Nwogu, one of the affected residents, described the damage to his property as devastating and blamed the incident on years of poor maintenance.

“This pipeline was laid in 1958 and has not received the maintenance it deserves over the years. The damage is extensive, and many of us believe this incident could have been avoided,” he lamented.

Following the inspection, the government delegation held discussions with the management of NPDC on immediate and long-term measures to address the impact of the explosion and strengthen safety measures around oil facilities in the area.