The Abia State Government has attributed the recent explosion in Umuololo, Owaza Community, Ukwa West Local Government Area, to an ageing petroleum pipeline believed to have been laid about 70 years ago.

The pipeline, which forms part of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11, reportedly exploded at about 1:30 a.m. on Monday, triggering a major oil spill that affected homes, farmlands, schools, shops, and livestock within the community.

During an inspection of the affected area, a state government delegation expressed concern over the environmental damage caused by the incident and its impact on residents.

The delegation, led by the Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, and the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Professor Joel Ogbonna, noted that although no lives were lost, the explosion caused extensive damage to buildings and other property in Umuololo.

Speaking at the scene, Professor Joel Ogbonna said preliminary investigations indicated that the damaged pipeline had been in operation for about seven decades and should not have remained in use by 2026.

He directed the company responsible for the pipeline to immediately begin cleaning up the affected community and replace the ageing infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, assured residents that the state government was closely monitoring the situation and taking steps to address the consequences of the explosion.

He said the administration of Governor Alex Otti remains committed to protecting communities across the state from environmental pollution, degradation, and other safety hazards.

One of the affected residents, David Nwogu, said the explosion caused extensive damage to his home.

He alleged that the pipeline was originally laid in 1958 and had not received adequate maintenance over the years, suggesting that its deteriorating condition may have contributed to the explosion.