RSG Inspects Gas Explosion Site In Aleto …Assures Residents Of Support

The Rivers State Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, and its Environment counterpart have conducted a joint inspection of the site of a gas explosion in Aleto Community, Eleme Local Government Area, to assess the extent of damage caused by the incident.

Recall that a gas explosion occurred in Aleto Community on Thursday, October 15, 2026, leaving several persons injured and properties destroyed.

Properties destroyed in the incident included churches, residential buildings, and vehicles parked within the affected area.

Speaking during the inspection, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, James Epobari Ngochindo, said the State Government, through the two ministries, visited the community to sympathise with the people of Eleme over the tragic incident and also to assess the level of damage.

The Permanent Secretary, in* a statement by the Information/Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, *Chinyere Oke, expressed gratitude to God that no lives were lost in the explosion, and commended the residents for maintaining a peaceful atmosphere.

He assured the residents that their concerns would be communicated to the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and other relevant authorities for necessary action.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Chief Obarilomate Ollor, called on the Nigeria Gas Company to carry out proper maintenance and regular inspections of its facilities.

He urged the company to replace outdated pipelines with modern and safer alternatives to prevent future incidents and protect lives and properties in the area.

Also speaking, the King of Eleme, His Majesty, King Philip Osaro Obele, Onel-Ehi-Eleme XI, commended the State Government for its prompt response to the incident and its decision to assess the extent of the damage while also sympathizing with the affected community.

The monarch described Eleme as a critical contributor to Nigeria’s economy, noting that the area hosts several multinational companies but remains neglected and marginalised despite its economic importance.

He called on the Federal Government to address the environmental and developmental challenges confronting the area, stressing the need for urgent intervention to prevent further harm to residents.

“There’s no development in Eleme, no Federal Government-owned school, no hospital, and our environment is polluted. Our crops no longer grow, our life expectancy has reduced, and residents are suffering from different illnesses.

“There is no employment for our youths and no federal appointments. Nothing is working again in our land,” the monarch lamented.

Earlier, the Youth President of Aleto Community, John Ebie Nwoke, had alleged that the explosion could have been prevented if the Nigeria Gas Company had responded promptly to an earlier report of a leaking pipeline.

According to him, he contacted the company after noticing a leak in the pipeline, and officials reportedly visited the site and inspected the facility, but the leak persisted, eventually resulting in last Thursday’s explosion.

“The pipe was still leaking after they came to inspect it, and that led to the explosion on Thursday”, he said.

Nwoke stated that the explosion caused extensive damage, including the destruction of houses and vehicles, and called on the relevant authorities to take urgent corrective measures to prevent a reoccurrence.

One of the residents who spoke during the inspection also expressed concern over the incident, stating that a timely response to the reported gas leak could have averted the explosion.

The resident confirmed that several people sustained injuries, although no fatalities were recorded.

The inspection team comprising Ngochindo; Director of Gas in the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Engr. Juliet Owhondah, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Ishmael Tomonialadieokuma, later paid a brief visit to the palace of His Majesty, King Philip Osaro Obele, as part of the engagement with traditional leadership in the area.