The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) says investigation into Friday’s explosion at the Rumuekpe section of Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) in Rivers was underway.

The Police in Rivers had confirmed that no fewer than 10 persons died on Friday following an explosion near the TNP in Rumuekpe, Rivers.

Mr Idris Musa, Director-General of NOSDRA said on Saturday that a Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) to the incident site has been scheduled for Saturday to ascertain the cause of the blast and volume of crude spilled.

JIV is a statutory inquiry that follows every oil spill incident consisting of representatives of the oil firm, regulators, host community and State Ministry of Environment.

The TNP, operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), evacuates crude from its oil fields to the Bonny Crude Oil Export Terminal.

An SPDC Spokesman, Michael Adande, had said in a statement on Friday that the fire incident occurred at the Rumuekpe-Nkpoku trunk line in Rivers and efforts were ongoing to put out the fire. 
 
“The Shell Petroleum Development company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) confirms that a fire incident occurred today, Friday March 3, 2023, on the Rumuekpe – Nkpoku Trunk Line in Rivers State. 

“Our technical teams are working with relevant government agencies to put out the fire. Thereafter, an investigation into the incident by a government-led joint investigation team will commence to ascertain the cause of the incident.” SPDC stated