By Sunday Ameh
The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), in collaboration with the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre, has called for a comprehensive investigation into the June 10 crude oil pipeline explosion at Umuololo, in the Igirukwu Autonomous Community, Owa, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
The groups made the demand in a joint press statement issued in August 2026, following a three-day civil society fact-finding and community engagement mission to the site of the incident.
According to FENRAD and HEDA, the exercise was aimed at documenting the circumstances surrounding the explosion, assessing its immediate and potential long-term environmental and socio-economic effects, and hearing directly from affected residents.
The organisations said their findings revealed concerns over the possible impact of the explosion and crude oil release on agricultural land, soil, vegetation, water resources, livelihoods, public safety and the wellbeing of residents.
They, however, stressed that observations from the field mission should be subjected to proper technical and regulatory verification through comprehensive environmental sampling and assessment by competent authorities.
The groups said residents also raised concerns about the condition of petroleum infrastructure in the area, emergency response efforts, environmental protection and the need for greater transparency in the handling of oil-related incidents.
FENRAD and HEDA therefore called for a transparent Joint Investigation Visit involving relevant regulatory authorities, the operating company, affected communities and civil society organisations.
They said the investigation should establish the immediate and underlying causes of the explosion, determine the condition of the affected pipeline, ascertain the volume and spread of crude oil released, and assess the extent of any environmental contamination.
The organisations also demanded prompt and scientifically guided remediation where pollution is established. They urged authorities to ensure that affected communities are meaningfully involved in the assessment, clean-up and monitoring processes.
They further called for appropriate consideration of legitimate claims arising from verified damage to livelihoods, property, agricultural resources and the environment.
FENRAD and HEDA said the incident had also highlighted broader concerns about ageing petroleum infrastructure, pipeline maintenance, emergency preparedness and environmental degradation in oil-producing communities across the Niger Delta.
They urged government agencies and petroleum operators to strengthen infrastructure integrity management, preventive maintenance, environmental monitoring and emergency response mechanisms to prevent similar incidents.
The groups said the Umuololo explosion should not be treated as an isolated infrastructure incident, stressing that it raises wider questions about pipeline safety, environmental protection, regulatory oversight and the rights of communities affected by petroleum operations.
They called for transparency, accountability, environmental remediation, long-term monitoring and concrete measures to protect the lives and livelihoods of residents in Umuololo and the wider Owaza oil-producing communities.
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