ExxonMobil loses employee to gas explosion at Qua Iboe Terminal

Ini Billie, Uyo

An employee of ExxonMobil has died of gas explosion at Qua Iboe Terminal and another sustained injury on the process area. 

The gas explosion was said to have occurred on Sunday when the victims were about to light up the gas flaring plant at the company’s facility in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. 

Sources told our correspondent on Wednesday that the dead victim was a supervisor working at the facility’s processing area, while the injured who had been rushed to a hospital for treatment, is a supervisor, too. 

According to him, it was possible that the victims, who were to turn on the plant shut for maintenance purposes, flouted all safety procedures that would have averted the occurrence. 

“Two supervisors went to put on the gas flaring plant that was shut for maintenance. The victims were told to light up the gas flare plant, which is the excess gas from the flare. 

“If the flare is off, the whole QIT is in black out because the gas flare is used to power the turbine that supplies light to ExxonMobil facility in Mkpanak in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom,” he said. 

A visit to the scene of the incident showed that the processing area of the QIT was cordoned off. 

When the Government Relations Advisor, Public and Government Affairs of ExxonMobil, Mr Ozemoya Okordion was contacted on Wednesday, he confirmed the incident. 

He said though they were saddened by the development, an investigation into the incident was ongoing and all appropriate authorities have been notified of the accident. 

He said, “Two employees were injured, and both received immediate medical attention. It is unfortunate that one of the employees has passed on. 

“We are saddened by this unfortunate incident and providing support to the family. The safety of our workforce and community always remains our priority.”