Warri – The Abura Crude Trunk Line operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) at the Delta community of Otu-jeremi, in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, was, on Friday, gutted by fire.

It was gathered that, the explosion occurred around 1.30p.m, after a loud explosion that sent shivers down the spines of residents living close to the facility .

The affected trunk line accommodates OML 34 pipeline which is a joint venture operated by Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and Niger Delta Western.

While soldiers have, since, cordoned off the area, however, fire fighters were seen making frantic efforts to put out the fire to prevent it further damage.

Although as of press time, it could not be ascertained if there were casualties in terms of injuries and deaths, or whether the ruptured trunk line was a sabotage by a third-party interference,NPDC head of Community Relations Mr. Chris Otobis and and Head of ,Security Col. Oyekan did not return the calls put across to them as they both promised.

A senior officer in the Nigerian Army, however, confirmed the incident to journalists, but could not immediately ascertain the cause of the explosion.

Meanwhile, NPDC Head of Community Relations, Mr Otobrise, had recently told journalists in Warri that pipeline surveillance contract and security of company assets were contracted to indigenous firms as part of its effort to implement the local content law as well as encourage local firms that have built their capacity.

He dismissed the insinuation of insider involvement in illegal oil bunkering activities in the company’s area of operations, saying that the oil company spent over a billion naira yearly to curtail oil theft.

A fortnight ago, the Manager, Government, Community Relations & Security, NPDC/NDW OML 34 AMT, Mr. Sheidu Aiguedo, had during an interaction with journalists in Warri,opined that although the company suffers losses during massive stealing of crude oil or pipeline vandalism, but the people of the host communities suffer the more.

Aiguedo blamed host communities, surveillance guards and contractor employers in the various host communities for often being the cause of the rupturing of oil facilities and artisanal refineries where the company operates in parts of Ughelli South, Udu and Ughelli North local government areas of the state.

Mr Aiguedo said in spite of the numerous corporate social responsibilities being executed in the company’s host communities regularly, illegal oil bunkering by locals has yet to abate.

According to him, the volume of what the oil thieves spill on the environment pales compare to the volume security agents destroy during their operations, warning that the future of such communities was bleak.

He lamented that despite billions of naira being paid to contractors to guard the oil and gas pipelines, the facilities still suffer untold vandalism while communities feign ignorance.

“Community people who are supposed to speak, it is either they are afraid to speak or they are benefitting from the activities of the illegal bunkerers in their communities.

“Someone’s property was destroyed recently and was ostracised at Otor-Udu. Once they suspect you’re the one who gave the company the information, they destroy your property,” he lamented.

Aiguedo further lamented a development where children and women are now being recruited into the illicit business in the various communities, noting that he would, however, not exonerate anyone particularly the security operatives from the activities of the economic sabotage.

Mr Aiguedo, however, disclosed that the company was employing the use of new technologies such as drones to improve the monitoring of its facilities in the creeks.

He also promised that NPDC would embark on rigorous engagement with monarchs, opinion, community and political leaders to discourage the crime.

He urged the Federal Government to increase its commitment in partnering with oil and gas companies to prevent and protect oil and gas facilities as well as prosecute apprehended oil thieves to serve as a deterrent to others.