HOMEF demands shutdown of unsafe pipelines after Aleto blast
The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has called for the immediate shutdown and decommissioning of unsafe gas pipelines following an explosion in Aleto, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The environmental organisation also demanded an independent investigation into the October 15 incident, accountability for any negligence established and compensation for residents whose homes, businesses and livelihoods were affected.
Nathan Tamarapreye
The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has called for the immediate shutdown and decommissioning of unsafe gas pipelines following an explosion in Aleto, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The environmental organisation also demanded an independent investigation into the October 15 incident, accountability for any negligence established and compensation for residents whose homes, businesses and livelihoods were affected.
In a statement issued on Monday by its Media and Communications Lead, Kome Odhomor, HOMEF said its visit to the affected community on October 16 revealed reports of a suspected gas leak along the same pipeline corridor before the explosion.
The explosion involved a pipeline operated by the Nigeria Gas Infrastructure Company Limited (NGIC), a subsidiary of NNPC Ltd. It damaged homes, shops and vehicles and injured residents.
HOMEF quoted the Aleto Youth President and Secretary of the Eleme Youth Council Worldwide, Woke John Ebie, as saying residents had reported an earlier leak to NGIC.
According to Ebie, company representatives visited the location and erected a barricade, but the explosion occurred the following day.
HOMEF said the account raised concerns about the operator’s response to safety warnings, pipeline maintenance and regulatory oversight.
The organisation also cited the Eleme Local Government Chairman, Obarilomate Ollor, as expressing concern that the pipeline could be at least 50 years old and calling for a comprehensive assessment of the network and a Federal Government investigation.
Ollor also urged the authorities to provide medical assistance and relief materials to victims and replace ageing infrastructure where necessary.
HOMEF said affected residents had reported losses of personal belongings and business assets, further worsening their economic hardship.
It quoted a shop owner, Esther Victor Bright, as saying she lost goods and a point-of-sale bag containing about ₦100,000 while fleeing the explosion.
The Paramount Ruler of Aleto and King of Eleme, King Dr Philip Osaro Obele, also called for urgent government intervention over recurring pipeline incidents.
Obele urged the government to declare a state of emergency in Eleme Local Government Area, citing concerns about pollution, unsafe drinking water and other environmental problems.
HOMEF said the explosion underscored the dangers faced by communities hosting petroleum infrastructure and the need to prioritise residents’ safety.
It called on the Federal Government to direct NGIC, NNPC Ltd. and relevant regulators to investigate the incident and publish their findings. It also demanded a comprehensive integrity assessment of the affected pipeline corridor before operations resume.
The organisation maintained that pipelines found unsafe for continued use should be decommissioned or removed rather than subjected to repeated repairs.
It further urged regulators to investigate possible operational failures and impose appropriate sanctions if negligence or breaches of safety obligations were established.
HOMEF called for medical care and fair compensation for injured residents and those whose homes, businesses and livelihoods had been damaged.
It also demanded community participation in safety assessments, monitoring and decisions affecting residents.
The organisation maintained that pipeline operators and regulatory institutions bore responsibility for preventing industrial disasters, rather than leaving host communities to endure the consequences of infrastructure failures.
