FENRAD demands joint probe into Owaza pipeline explosion, seeks replacement of aging oil infrastructure

Nkem Ukaegbu, Umuahia

Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has expressed deep concern over the recent crude oil pipeline explosion in Owaza community, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, describing the incident as another stark reminder of the dangers posed by Nigeria’s aging oil and gas infrastructure.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, the environmental rights organisation said the explosion highlights the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in pipeline asset management to safeguard lives, livelihoods and the environment.

Although the Abia State Government attributed the incident to the failure of an obsolete pipeline reportedly installed in the late 1950s, FENRAD insisted that a transparent, scientific and independent assessment must be carried out to determine the actual cause of the explosion.

The organisation noted that recurring pipeline failures across the Niger Delta have continued to expose communities to severe environmental pollution, public health hazards and economic losses, making independent investigations essential for accountability and long-term solutions.

To this end, FENRAD called for the immediate constitution of a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) comprising representatives of the Federal Ministry of Environment, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Abia State Ministry of Environment, the pipeline operator, affected community representatives, independent environmental experts and civil society organisations focused on environmental protection.

According to the group, such a multidisciplinary investigation would establish the precise cause of the explosion, determine the extent of environmental contamination, evaluate the socio-economic impact on affected residents and recommend appropriate remediation and compensation measures.

FENRAD stressed that host communities should not continue to bear the burden of environmental degradation resulting from obsolete energy infrastructure.

As an environmental justice and climate advocacy organisation, it argued that modern, resilient and environmentally sustainable energy infrastructure is critical to Nigeria’s efforts to combat pollution, strengthen climate adaptation and achieve sustainable development goals.

Beyond addressing the immediate aftermath of the explosion, the organisation advocated for a comprehensive Pipeline Integrity Assessment (PIA) covering the entire pipeline corridor passing through Owaza and neighbouring communities.

The proposed assessment, it explained, should include corrosion evaluation, wall thickness testing, hydrostatic pressure testing where necessary, leak detection system evaluation, geotechnical stability assessment and a comprehensive engineering risk analysis to determine whether the facilities remain safe for continued operation.

FENRAD further maintained that where engineering investigations confirm that any pipeline has exceeded its safe operational lifespan or no longer meets modern safety standards, such facilities should be immediately decommissioned and replaced with modern pipelines built in line with international best practices, Nigerian regulatory requirements and globally accepted environmental and safety standards.

The organisation emphasised that environmental protection cannot rely solely on emergency response mechanisms after disasters occur.
Instead, it said preventive asset integrity management, regular maintenance, continuous monitoring and timely replacement of obsolete infrastructure are fundamental responsibilities of pipeline operators committed to responsible environmental stewardship.

The advocacy group also urged relevant authorities to immediately commence environmental sampling and laboratory analysis of impacted soil, groundwater, surface water, sediments and ambient air quality to determine the full extent of contamination and guide scientific remediation efforts.

It added that affected communities deserve prompt environmental restoration, full disclosure of investigation findings and adequate compensation for any verified losses arising from the explosion.

FENRAD equally called on regulatory agencies to strengthen enforcement of pipeline integrity management programmes across Nigeria’s oil-producing communities, warning that preventable infrastructure failures continue to threaten biodiversity, food security, ecosystem services, public health and the constitutional right of citizens to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

Reaffirming its commitment to environmental justice, the organisation said the Owaza pipeline explosion should serve as a turning point for comprehensive reforms in pipeline asset management rather than becoming another addition to the long list of avoidable environmental disasters in the Niger Delta.

FENRAD pledged to continue advancing environmental justice, climate resilience, ecological restoration, responsible natural resource governance and the protection of the environmental rights of vulnerable communities through evidence-based advocacy, policy engagement and strategic partnerships across Nigeria.