Abia pipeline blast: FENRAD, HEDA call for probe, cleanup, livelihood assessment

Nkem Ukaegbu, Umuahia

Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) and the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) have called for an urgent joint investigation into the pipeline explosion that occurred on June 10, 2026, at Umuololo, Igiriukwu Autonomous Community, Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.

The organisations urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL), the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to commence a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether it caused environmental contamination or other damage.

The call followed a three-day joint fact-finding and community engagement mission conducted by FENRAD and HEDA at the affected location and within the host community.

According to the organisations, the mission sought to document observable conditions, engage affected residents and stakeholders, and examine concerns relating to environmental protection, public safety, emergency response and community livelihoods.

In a statement, FENRAD and HEDA clarified that their exercise was an independent civil society initiative and was not intended to prejudge the cause of the explosion or assign liability without sufficient evidence.

They, however, stressed the need for a transparent, technically credible and inclusive investigation involving the pipeline operator, relevant regulatory authorities, community representatives and civil society organisations.

Investigation to establish cause, environmental impact

The organisations said the proposed JIV should establish the immediate and underlying causes of the explosion, assess the integrity and operational condition of the affected pipeline infrastructure, and determine whether crude oil was released during the incident.

They also called for an assessment of the volume and geographical extent of any release, possible contamination of soil and water resources, damage to vegetation and agricultural land, and the effects on residents’ livelihoods and economic activities.

FENRAD and HEDA further urged investigators to examine the adequacy of emergency response measures, including containment, cleanup and other interventions undertaken following the incident.

They maintained that environmental sampling and laboratory analysis should be conducted where technically warranted to establish the present condition of the affected site.

The organisations called for scientifically valid sampling procedures, transparent documentation, appropriate chain-of-custody measures and credible laboratory analysis to ensure that findings could support regulatory decisions and any necessary remediation.

They also urged the preservation of relevant evidence, including pipeline inspection and integrity records, maintenance reports, operational documents, incident notifications, emergency response reports, photographs, videos and environmental monitoring data.

Demand community participation

The civil society organisations emphasised that residents of Umuololo/Igiriukwu and the wider Owaza community should be meaningfully involved in the investigation, particularly in identifying affected locations, providing relevant information and documenting the effects of the incident on their livelihoods.

They said community participation was essential to ensuring transparency, procedural fairness and public confidence in the investigative process.

According to them, the investigation should not be limited to technical assessments by the operator and regulatory authorities but should also provide opportunities for affected residents to present their experiences and concerns.

Seek remediation, livelihood assessment
FENRAD and HEDA called for timely and scientifically guided environmental remediation if contamination or other damage is established through appropriate evidence.

They said any remediation programme should be environmentally appropriate, independently verifiable, monitored and implemented with meaningful community participation.

The organisations also urged that demonstrable impacts on legitimate livelihoods, agricultural resources, property and community assets be properly documented and considered in accordance with applicable laws and established procedures.

They further called for the investigation to produce a comprehensive report detailing the technical findings, established environmental impacts, response measures already undertaken and additional remedial actions required.

The report, they said, should also identify measures necessary to prevent or reduce the risk of similar incidents and communicate relevant findings transparently to the affected community.

Give NEPL 14 days to propose JIV date

As part of their demands, FENRAD and HEDA said they had formally requested NEPL to acknowledge their request, confirm its willingness to participate in the investigation and liaise with NOSDRA, NUPRC and other relevant authorities to facilitate the process.

They also asked the company to designate focal persons for coordination, propose a suitable date for the JIV, preserve relevant technical and environmental records, and provide information on containment, cleanup, remediation and other response measures undertaken or planned at the site.

The organisations requested that NEPL communicate a proposed date for the investigation within 14 days of receiving their formal request.

They proposed that the JIV involve NEPL technical personnel, NOSDRA, NUPRC, relevant environmental and petroleum regulatory authorities, the Abia State Government, representatives of the affected community, FENRAD, HEDA and other competent technical institutions where necessary.

Organisations reiterate commitment to evidence-based engagement

FENRAD and HEDA said their demand for a joint investigation was made in the public interest and aimed at establishing the facts surrounding the incident through a credible, evidence-based process.

They pledged to distinguish between verified facts, community testimonies, field observations and issues requiring further technical investigation.

The organisations called on NEPL, NOSDRA, NUPRC, the Abia State Government and other stakeholders to support the prompt commencement of the JIV and ensure that the affected community is meaningfully included.

FENRAD works on environmental rights, environmental justice, community rights, public accountability and sustainable development, while HEDA Resource Centre focuses on human rights, environmental governance, transparency, accountability and development advocacy.