Again, explosion rocks oil facility in Rivers

Unconfirmed reports indicate that an explosion has occurred at an oil facility in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State.  

A local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the incident took place on a manifold connecting a federal oil pipeline in the Okwawriwa area on Tuesday morning.

According to the source, residents of the community woke up to find a massive fire raging at the facility, which is situated some distance away from residential areas.

However, details on the cause of the explosion and the extent of the damage remain unclear.

The source noted that the facility conveys petroleum products from Seplat, Agip, and Shell, from the ONELGA and parts of Imo State to Brass in Bayelsa State.

This is coming less than 12 hours after the Trans-Niger Pipeline, operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, that transports oil to Bonny Terminal had gone into flames.

However, at press time it could not be ascertained whether the fire incidences at both facilities were caused by human activities.

But police in the state had in a statement earlier on the incident at qq1, Gokana LGA, said it has opened an investigation into the development.

The police also said they have taken two people in for interrogation over the explosion on Trans-Niger Pipeline.