The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) Nigeria has called for an independent and scientific investigation into the recent crude oil pipeline explosion in Owaza Community, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.

The organisation said the incident, which destroyed farmlands, homes and livestock, has once again highlighted the serious environmental, public health and safety risks posed by Nigeria's ageing oil and gas infrastructure.

FENRAD made the call in a statement issued on Saturday by its Executive Director, Nelson Nnanna Nwafor.

The group urged the immediate establishment of a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) involving representatives of the Federal Ministry of Environment, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Abia State Ministry of Environment, the pipeline operator, community representatives, independent environmental experts and civil society organisations.

According to FENRAD, the investigation is necessary to determine the exact cause of the explosion, assess the extent of environmental contamination, evaluate the socio-economic impact on affected communities and recommend appropriate remediation and compensation measures.

"Such a Joint Investigation Visit is critical to establish the precise cause of the explosion, determine the extent of environmental contamination, assess socio-economic impacts on affected communities, and recommend appropriate remediation and compensation measures," the statement said.

The organisation maintained that host communities should no longer bear the heavy environmental consequences of ageing oil and gas infrastructure.

While commending the Abia State Government for visiting the affected communities, FENRAD also called for a comprehensive Pipeline Integrity Assessment (PIA) covering the entire pipeline corridor passing through Owaza and neighbouring communities.

The group said the assessment should include corrosion evaluation, wall thickness testing, hydrostatic pressure testing where necessary, leak detection system evaluation, geotechnical stability assessment and a detailed risk analysis to determine the operational safety of the pipeline.

FENRAD further stressed that residents affected by the explosion deserve prompt environmental remediation, transparent disclosure of investigation findings and adequate compensation for verified losses.

It also urged regulatory agencies to strengthen oversight and enforce strict compliance with pipeline integrity management programmes across Nigeria's oil-producing communities.