(Reuters) Three
people were killed and several others wounded when an oil pipeline belonging to
Italy’s ENI exploded during repair works in Nigeria’s southern delta region, an
environmental group said on Tuesday.
people were killed and several others wounded when an oil pipeline belonging to
Italy’s ENI exploded during repair works in Nigeria’s southern delta region, an
environmental group said on Tuesday.
The blast was
one of the worst in recent weeks in the swampland, where residents and former
militant groups have long complained about oil pollution and casualties caused
by pipeline accidents.
one of the worst in recent weeks in the swampland, where residents and former
militant groups have long complained about oil pollution and casualties caused
by pipeline accidents.
The explosion
happened in the Olugboboro Community in Bayelsa state on Sunday but bodies were
only recovered on Monday after the fire was brought under control, residents
said. Up to seven had been wounded, they said.
happened in the Olugboboro Community in Bayelsa state on Sunday but bodies were
only recovered on Monday after the fire was brought under control, residents
said. Up to seven had been wounded, they said.
“The news of
another tragic incident in the oil industry which claimed three lives … came to
the Environmental Rights Action (ERA) as a great shock,” said Alagoa Morris, an
activist at the group.
another tragic incident in the oil industry which claimed three lives … came to
the Environmental Rights Action (ERA) as a great shock,” said Alagoa Morris, an
activist at the group.
“We in ERA will
not stop calling on the authorities and regulators of the oil industry to make
safety and best practices the mantra of the industry, not just profit
(seeking),” he said.
not stop calling on the authorities and regulators of the oil industry to make
safety and best practices the mantra of the industry, not just profit
(seeking),” he said.
The group and
residents said workers had been repairing the pipeline when it caught fire.
There was no immediate comment from ENI.
residents said workers had been repairing the pipeline when it caught fire.
There was no immediate comment from ENI.
Several bodies
had been burned beyond recognition, while some injured were brought with severe
burns to hospitals, residents said.
had been burned beyond recognition, while some injured were brought with severe
burns to hospitals, residents said.
Peter Idabor,
director general of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency in
charge of handling spills and other pipeline accidents, said safety procedures
had been breached during the repair works.
director general of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency in
charge of handling spills and other pipeline accidents, said safety procedures
had been breached during the repair works.
“I am going to
report the matter officially to the Minister of Environment today,” Idabor
said.
report the matter officially to the Minister of Environment today,” Idabor
said.
Tensions have
been building in the Delta, an impoverished region where most complain they do
not benefit from oil production.
been building in the Delta, an impoverished region where most complain they do
not benefit from oil production.
Pipeline attacks
by militants and other residents have been on the rise since authorities issued
in January an arrest warrant for a former militant leader for corruption
charges.
by militants and other residents have been on the rise since authorities issued
in January an arrest warrant for a former militant leader for corruption
charges.
In 2009, the
OPEC member brokered a multi-million amnesty for militants who ended blowing up
pipelines to demand a greater share of the country’s oil wealth and an end of
oil pollution.
OPEC member brokered a multi-million amnesty for militants who ended blowing up
pipelines to demand a greater share of the country’s oil wealth and an end of
oil pollution.
President Muhammadu Buhari, elected a year ago, has extended the amnesty, but
upset former militant leaders by ending generous pipeline protection contracts,
reports Reuters.
upset former militant leaders by ending generous pipeline protection contracts,
reports Reuters.
