A second major pipeline explosion has rocked the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State, occurring just hours after a similar incident in Bodo, Gokana LGA.
The latest explosion struck a manifold connecting a federal pipeline in the Okwawriwa area on Tuesday morning, sending massive flames into the sky and raising fresh concerns about the safety of oil facilities in the region.
This is coming shortly after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
ENigeria News had earlier reported that President Tinubu decalred a state of emergency in Rivers State. The declaration came amid the political tension in the state following disagreement between governor Siminalayi Fubara and Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The political crisis continued to deteriorate, leading to a breakdown of law and order in the state, including the vandalization of pipelines by some militants, as reported in the news hours ago.
In a TV broadcast announcing the State of Emergency, President Tinubu said, “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.”
“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.
“The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state.”
