Abia Govt. Blames 70-Year-Old Pipeline for Owaza Explosion

The Abia State Government has attributed the pipeline explosion in Umuololo community, Owaza, in Ukwa West Local Government Area, to an ageing petroleum pipeline believed to have been laid about 70 years ago.

The pipeline, which forms part of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11, reportedly exploded at about 1:30 a.m. on Monday, triggering a major oil spill that affected homes, farms, schools, shops, and livestock in the community.

A state government delegation led by the Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, and the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Professor Joel Ogbonna, visited the affected area to assess the extent of the damage caused by the incident.

The officials expressed concern over the environmental impact of the explosion on residents, noting that several buildings and properties suffered extensive damage. They, however, confirmed that no lives were lost.

Speaking during the inspection, Professor Joel Ogbonna said preliminary findings indicated that the pipeline was installed about seven decades ago and should no longer be in operation in 2026.

He directed the oil company responsible for the facility to immediately begin cleanup operations in the affected community and replace the ageing pipeline to prevent a recurrence.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Ogbonna, assured residents that the state government was closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary steps to address the aftermath of the incident.

According to him, the administration of Governor Alex Otti remains committed to protecting communities across the state from environmental pollution, degradation, and other safety risks.

One of the affected residents, David Nwogu, said his house sustained extensive damage as a result of the explosion.

Nwogu alleged that the pipeline was laid in 1958 and had not received adequate maintenance over the years, adding that poor upkeep may have contributed to the incident.

The explosion has renewed concerns over the safety of ageing oil infrastructure in producing communities and the need for urgent investments in pipeline maintenance and environmental protection measures.