Pipeline Disaster Imminent! Fyneface Reveals Why Rivers State Faces More Explosions

In an interview with Daily Post, Fyneface attributed the explosion to equipment failure rather than political unrest, urging against speculations of ethnic tensions or sabotage as the primary cause. He pointed to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Shell, which manage the pipeline, as being responsible for its maintenance.

According to him, the aging pipelines, in use for over 60 years, are increasingly vulnerable to failures.

“These pipelines have been in place for more than six decades and are now bursting under pressure, like balloons, when transporting crude oil to the Bonny export terminal,” he explained.

Fyneface stressed that inadequate maintenance has worsened their condition, leading to frequent explosions and oil spills. He dismissed claims that the incident was linked to the political tensions in Rivers State, particularly threats from youths over ethnic disputes between the Ikwerre and Ijaw groups.

“Ogoniland does not belong to either the Ikwerre or Ijaw ethnic nationalities,” he clarified, distancing the explosion from the political turmoil.

The activist noted that the true cause of the explosion—whether equipment failure or sabotage—would ultimately be determined by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA). He called for a thorough investigation to prevent future occurrences.

Fyneface also highlighted the alarming frequency of oil spills and pipeline explosions in the Niger Delta, adding that any period without such incidents should be seen as a rare relief.

“Any week or month without an explosion or spill is a moment to celebrate,” he remarked, underscoring the environmental crisis in the region.

Looking ahead, he warned that ongoing divestment by multinational oil companies, coupled with the deteriorating state of infrastructure, would likely lead to more pipeline failures, explosions, and oil spills.

“A lot of these pipelines are already in a bad state. With multinational oil companies transferring ownership to indigenous firms that lack the financial and technological capacity to manage them, we are bound to witness more equipment failures, explosions, and oil spills in the future,” he concluded.