Residents flee as gas leaks hit Rivers community

Gas leaks from a gas facility have rocked the Sangama community in Bonny LGA of Rivers state. 

The gas facility, which was said to previously belong to the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), had been reportedly divested to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited (NPDC). 

Residents told The Punch that the leaks were first noticed on September 3 with no plans by NPDC to stop the diffusing gas, adding that the leakage had caused panic in the island community. 

Iyalla John-Jumbo, youth leader of Sangama community, said residents had fled the community due to a similar occurrence in the area in 2020.

John-Jumbo said residents have also deserted the community to avoid a repeat of the 2022 incident.

He added that during the 2020 incident, about three persons were hospitalised as they suffered different symptoms of ailments. 

“We are calling on the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari and other stakeholders to compel the NDPC to quickly shut down the facility to mitigate any further impact on the area,” he said.