Connect with us

News

FG Orders Probe Into PH Gas Pipeline Explosion …Buhari, PDP Condole RSG …Death Toll Hits 10

Published

7 years ago

on

President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the people and government of Rivers State following the death of some workers in a gas pipeline tragedy in the state.
The president, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu in Abuja, last Saturday, also condoled with the families of the victims.
Buhari said he was extremely pained by the loss of lives as a result of the incident.
He, therefore, asked for “a thorough investigation to determine what is responsible for the gas pipeline tragedy in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State in which several fatalities were reported”.
The gas tragedy reportedly occurred at Kom Kom community of Oyigbo Local Government Area, last Saturday, when workers were fixing a faulty section of the pipeline.
Similarly, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has condoled with the people of Kom Kom in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State over the loss of lives following the gas pipeline explosion which killed dozens of citizens in the area.
In a statement signed by his spokesman, Ike Abonyi, in Abuja, yesterday, Secondus said, “Our hearts are with you at this trying time”.
Secondus lamented the incessant hazard the people of the Niger Delta were facing due to the neglect and insensitivity of the Federal Government to listen to the cries of the people.
He also commiserated with victims of the senseless killings in Zamfara and other states in North-West and North-East zones.
The opposition leader charged the relevant authorities, including the oil and gas companies to show some sensitivity to the plight of the people of the Niger Delta on the hazards they were exposed to as a result of exploration of their God-given natural resources in their area.
Meanwhile, no fewer than 10 persons have reportedly lost their lives in the pipeline explosion that occurred in Rivers State, last Saturday.
The Tide learnt that the oil facility was installed by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and to supply gas feedstock to the Afam Gas Plant and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) facility in Bonny Island.
But, Shell spokesman, Bamidele Odugbesan, told newsmen, last Saturday, that there was no record of any explosion on SPDC facility in Oyigbo.
A resident of the area, Jude Nwanma, said residents of Izuoma, where the incident occurred, woke up to a thunderous explosion from a pipeline that criss-crossed the area.
Nwanma said more than 10 persons might have lost their lives in the explosion.
He said the explosion caused pandemonium in the area just as residents scampered for safety.
“It was later I learned that the explosion occurred in one of the pipelines I suspect to be petrol pipeline, and that more than 10 persons lost their lives in the incident,” he said.
Another eyewitness said, “We were just waking up when we heard a very loud sound. We knew it was an explosion but did not know the kind of explosion. We later traced the tick smoke to the gas pipeline.”
The Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Area, Hon Gerald Oforji, who confirmed the story, said that 10 persons died in the explosion.
Oforji said the bodies of the victims were recovered from the scene when the fire was put off, but added that most of the dead may not be easily identified as their bodies have been burnt beyond recognition.
He also confirmed that no house was destroyed when the explosion occurred.
The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, also has confirmed the incident.
Omoni claimed that the incident happened when officials of Shell Petroleum Development Company, were carrying out routine maintenance of the facility in Kom Kom.
He could not confirm exact casualty figure, but added that the fire has been put out, and that normalcy has returned to the scene of the incident.
“Shell was carrying out maintenance on the pipeline when the explosion happened. Our findings indicate that some members of the community rushed to the scene to scoop the product when the explosion happened.
“I can’t tell you how many people were burnt but it was not a good sight. Our men are still at the scene,” he added.
But The Tide’s investigation reveals that no hydrocarbon could be scooped from any pipeline when there is a gas leak or explosion, as gas is a highly flammable substance.

 

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

5 days ago

on

February 2, 2026

By

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.
This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”
She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.
As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.
A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.
Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.
The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.
By John Bibor
Continue Reading

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

5 days ago

on

February 2, 2026

By

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.
On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.
Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.
It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.
The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.
Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.
Here is a clean, professional, publication-ready edit of your report with improved flow, clarity, and SEO strength while retaining all facts:
Continue Reading

News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

5 days ago

on

February 2, 2026

By

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.
The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.
According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.
The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.
It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.
The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.
Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.
Continue Reading

Trending