By Emma Amaize
WARRI—RESIDENTS of Gana Agbarha-Otor community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State are living in fear of a possible inferno, following a recent rupture of abandoned Eriemu pigging manifold belonging to a multinational oil company.
Vanguard gathered that some of panic-stricken villagers were relocating from the community as a result of spillage caused by the incident.
However, a source said the Eriemu manifold had been under lock by both the Shell Petroleum Development Company and Nigeria Gas Company for over 10 years, adding that the pipe probably burst due to long abandonment
A youth leader in the community, Comrade Felix Esquire, who spoke to reporters, said the oil company had abandoned the manifold for about a decade now.
He said the community reliably learnt that the oil spillage occurred due to lack of maintenance, as the slack pressure gauge pushed out the crude oil from the pipe.
He appealed to SPDC, Federal Government and other relevant authorities to come to the aid of the people and develop the community.
Also speaking, another youth leader in the area, Mr. Ikweki Matthew, said: "For some years now, oil spills have been occurring and whenever we call SPDC's attention, they do not care to come due to the abandonment of the community development. They always say that the Eriemu pigging manifold is located at the bush, not in town.
"But in reality, the manifold is located at the centre of the community and people are living at risk. As you can see, the oil spill that occured recently made many people to relocate for fear of possible fire outbreak."
Vanguard Nigeria