Abia provides relief materials for pipeline explosion victims

From Okey Sampson, Umuahia

The Abia State government said it has provided relief materials to the victims of Owaza pipeline explosion in Ukwa West Local Government Area of the state.

The state Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen in Umuahia. He said relief materials were provided by the government to the affected villagers to reduce their sufferings.

Kanu informed that the state Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources and that of Environment have visited the area and said the state government would ensure that no such explosion would be recorded in oil producing communities again. He said the Abia State government has commenced discussions with relevant federal agencies and stakeholders in the petroleum industry to address the environmental and socio-economic impact of the recent pipeline explosion in Owaza and to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“The Commissioner for Petroleum was there last week together with the Commissioner for Environment, who happens to come from that community. They visited the place and assessed the extent of the damage.

“Some relief has been brought to the families affected. But, most importantly, they are in touch with the federal authorities and all the relevant stakeholders in the oil industry on whatever they may need to do in terms of ensuring that this does not reoccur.

“Because we have got information that what happened may have been as a result of some old equipment that had been installed there for a long time.

“So, maybe, a solution would be for them to come down and ensure that new pipelines are brought in to replace the old ones”.

He expressed gratitude that no fatalities were recorded in the explosion.