Unidentified persons have used explosives, believed to be dynamite, to attack shell’s gas pipeline in Ikarama and Kalaba communities in Yenagoa local government area in Bayelsa state.
This was disclosed by residents of the communities who reported the situation to Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria, ERA/FoEN.
The community members who called and texted ERA/FoEN explained that the explosives that were used sounded like dynamite.
The gas pipeline is linking the company’s Adibawa flowstation at JK4 (Edagberi/Betterland) in Ahoada West local government area of Rivers State and Shell operated integrated gas gathering plant at Obunagha.
ERA/FoEN after confirming the incident noted that, the situation “is now affecting local farmers as they are scared to access their farmlands for planting, especially as some would be going with live coal to burn their cleared farms.
“The people are very apprehensive; even as the explosion has continued. Community folks confirmed to ERA that, apart from the frightening sound of the explosions; they could hear the hissing sound of the gas spewing into the environment.
“This gas pipeline supplies the Integrated gas gathering plant at Obunagha with Gas from shell operated Oil wells in Biseni and JK4, a major line.”
ERA/FoEN has decided not to access the environment immediately owing to the risk associated, from the vandals and security operatives.