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Explosions have hit the premises of Italian oil company, Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), located in Ebeocha town near Omoku, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, causing fire outbreak.
Daily Sun gathered that the first explosion occurred on Sunday, at about 10pm, while another happened yesterday morning and has been raging as at the time of filing this report.
No casualty was recorded, as a combined team of fire service from Agip and Total E & P companies, was said to have been making frantic efforts to ensure the fire did not escalate and wreak havoc in the host community.
The cause of the fire could not be ascertained, but a source said there was an explosion from one of the tanks, leading to fire outbreak.
According to the source, after the first explosion on Sunday night, another explosion occurred yesterday morning, shortly after men of the fire service had contained the initial incident.
Chairman of ONELGA, Augustine Ahiamadu, while confirming the report to journalists, ruled out sabotage.
He stated that the location was a highly risky zone, noting that the tanks were old and needed to be reviewed.
Also, he confirmed that the second explosion occurred yesterday morning, but could not confirm the cause of the explosion, or if there was any casualty.
“It started yesterday (Sunday) and they (fire service) contained it. Early this morning, another explosion occurred again.
“From now, we cannot ascertain anything because I am yet to be briefed officially. But I have told them that all they need to do is to ensure that the incident is properly handled; and also to make sure that my people are secured,” Ahiamadu said.
It was further gathered that people had been evacuated from Ebeocha town, though the fire was said to be burning within the ambit of the facilities.
Explosions have hit the premises of Italian oil company, Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), located in Ebeocha town near Omoku, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, causing fire outbreak.
Daily Sun gathered that the first explosion occurred on Sunday, at about 10pm, while another happened yesterday morning and has been raging as at the time of filing this report.
No casualty was recorded, as a combined team of fire service from Agip and Total E & P companies, was said to have been making frantic efforts to ensure the fire did not escalate and wreak havoc in the host community.
The cause of the fire could not be ascertained, but a source said there was an explosion from one of the tanks, leading to fire outbreak.
According to the source, after the first explosion on Sunday night, another explosion occurred yesterday morning, shortly after men of the fire service had contained the initial incident.
Chairman of ONELGA, Augustine Ahiamadu, while confirming the report to journalists, ruled out sabotage.
He stated that the location was a highly risky zone, noting that the tanks were old and needed to be reviewed.
Also, he confirmed that the second explosion occurred yesterday morning, but could not confirm the cause of the explosion, or if there was any casualty.
“It started yesterday (Sunday) and they (fire service) contained it. Early this morning, another explosion occurred again.
“From now, we cannot ascertain anything because I am yet to be briefed officially. But I have told them that all they need to do is to ensure that the incident is properly handled; and also to make sure that my people are secured,” Ahiamadu said.
It was further gathered that people had been evacuated from Ebeocha town, though the fire was said to be burning within the ambit of the facilities.