‘We are going to have more explosions’ – Fyneface gives reason for trans-Niger Delta pipeline explosions in Rivers

Environmental rights activist and Executive Director of the Youth and Environmental Advocacy Center (YEAC), Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, has warned against attributing the recent explosion on the Trans-Niger Delta Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers State, to the ongoing political crisis in the region.

In an interview with the Daily Post, Fyneface attributed the explosion to equipment failure rather than political unrest and urged against speculating about ethnic tensions or sabotage being the primary cause.

Fyneface pointed to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Shell, which operate the pipeline, as responsible for maintaining the aging infrastructure.

He explained that the pipelines, which have been in place for over sixty years, are increasingly prone to failure.

“These pipelines have been laid for over sixty years, and they are bursting and deflating like balloons when there is heavy pressure transporting crude oil to the export terminal in Bonny,” he said.

Fyneface noted that the lack of maintenance on these pipelines has contributed to their deterioration, making them more susceptible to explosions and spills.

The activist also dismissed claims that the explosion was connected to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, particularly threats from youths who had warned of sabotaging pipelines due to ethnic tensions between the Ikwerre and Ijaw ethnic groups.