Gas leaks from Savannah Energy affect Akwa Ibom community
Adewale Akintaro
A gas leak from a pipeline operated by Savannah Energy Limited has stirred panic in Ikot Ukpong community, Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The gas leaks which the community noticed yesterday along Savannah Energy pipeline right of way in Ikot Ukpong, has led to worries about potential fire explosion in the community.
Reacting on the incident, the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, urged residents to exercise extreme caution to ensure their safety.
Ekpo in a statement issued by his media aide, Louis Ibah, assured that he is working closely with regulatory agencies and stakeholders to identify the cause of the leak and restore normalcy to the area.
The Minister also warned residents against tampering with critical assets, stating that such actions can lead to serious injury or loss of life.
The statement reads, “The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has urged the people of Ukanafun Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State to exercise extreme caution to ensure their safety following a gas leak incident reported in Ikot Ukpong from a pipeline operated by Savannah Energy Ltd.
“The Minister wishes to assure residents of the affected area that he is in contact with relevant regulatory agencies and stakeholders from the Federal and Akwa Ibom State Governments to identify the cause of the leak and restore normalcy to the area as quickly as possible.
“Ekpo also implores residents along the right of way of gas pipelines against tampering with critical assets and advised that any community that suspects a leak from any pipeline, should please report such incident to relevant authorities and should not attempt to profit from the situation, as this can lead to serious injury or even loss of life.”
