RismadarVoice Reporters
October 20, 2026
The Rivers State Government has inspected the site of a gas pipeline explosion in Aleto community, Eleme Local Government Area, assuring affected residents that their concerns will be communicated to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and relevant authorities for necessary action.
Officials from the state Ministries of Energy and Natural Resources and Environment conducted the joint inspection to assess the destruction caused by the October 15 explosion along Old Bori Road.
The incident reportedly injured about 20 people and damaged more than 50 houses and shops, alongside vehicles and other properties. No fatalities were reported during the government’s assessment.
Speaking during the visit, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, James Epobari Ngochindo, said the exercise was intended to determine the extent of the damage and engage directly with affected residents.
He assured the community that the government’s findings and residents’ concerns would be presented to Governor Fubara and other appropriate authorities.
Ngochindo also commended residents for maintaining peace despite the destruction and hardship caused by the incident.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Ishmael Tomonialadieokuma, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing environmental concerns arising from the explosion.
Meanwhile, the King of Eleme, His Majesty King Philip Osaro Obele, welcomed the government’s intervention but called for greater attention to environmental protection and infrastructure development in the area.
The monarch expressed concern about the condition of critical infrastructure in Eleme, stressing that communities hosting major industrial facilities deserved stronger safety measures and sustainable development.
The Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Obarilomate Ollor, also called for regular inspection and maintenance of gas pipelines to prevent similar incidents.
Residents alleged that warnings about a suspected pipeline leak had been raised before the explosion but were not adequately addressed.
The Youth President of Aleto community, John Ebie Nwoke, claimed that the incident could have been prevented through more effective intervention by the pipeline operator.
The allegations have intensified demands for an investigation into the cause of the explosion and compensation for affected residents.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) confirmed that the explosion occurred on a pipeline belonging to its subsidiary, NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited.
The company said it had activated emergency response procedures, isolated the affected pipeline section and begun coordinating with relevant regulatory and security agencies to assess the incident.
The state government’s inspection forms part of efforts to document the damage and determine appropriate measures to protect residents and prevent future occurrences.
The cause of the explosion remains subject to investigation, while affected residents await further action from the relevant authorities.
