Officials of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, the Nigerian Agip Oil Company and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA have undertaken a Joint investigation assessment visit on a major Agip gas pipeline which exploded some days ago, along the Bayelsa Palm Utu-Otopkoti road area in Yenagoa Local Government Area.
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Speaking to journalists after the exercise, an official of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, Edwin Kurotimi attributed the cause of the incident to vandalism, judging by various evidence on the scene, including a 12volts battery and other items.
While denying any involvement of his people, the deputy paramount ruler of Azikoro Community, Napoleon Ike called on the authorities to carry out a health audit to ascertain the impact of the gas leakage on the individuals living in the vicinity.
Efforts to get reactions from NESREA and Agip officials who were present, was unsuccessful.