Abia government blames aging oil pipeline for Owaza community explosion.

The Abia State Government has attributed the explosion in Umuololo Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area, to a petroleum pipeline that was installed roughly seventy years ago.

The pipeline, belonging to Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11, ruptured around 1:30 am on Monday, producing a substantial oil spill that damaged homes, farms, schools, shops and livestock.

While assessing the damage, Abia State officials voiced concerns about the environmental effects of the explosion on Umuololo residents.

The delegation, headed by Environment Commissioner Philemon Asonye Ogbonna and Petroleum and Mineral Resources Commissioner Professor Joel Ogbonna, noted that numerous buildings and other properties suffered severe damage in Umuololo, but fortunately no fatalities occurred.

At the explosion site, Professor Joel Ogbonna, the state’s Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, stated that early investigations revealed the ruptured pipeline had been installed around seventy years ago and should not have been in service in 2026.

He instructed the pipeline’s owning oil company to promptly remediate the affected area and replace the aging pipeline to avert future incidents.

Commissioner Philemon Asonye Ogbonna also assured villagers that the state government was closely monitoring the situation and that measures were underway to address the incident.

Ogbonna added that Governor Alex Otti’s administration is committed to safeguarding Abia communities from environmental pollution, degradation, and other safety risks.

David Nwogu, one of those affected by the explosion, reported that his house suffered extensive damage.

Nwogu