The Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP) in Bodo, located in the Gokana Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State, has resumed operations following a fire that broke out on a segment of the pipeline along the Bodo-Bonny road on Monday night.
Social media footage of the incident showed flames rising into the sky, signaling a significant blaze. The TNP, a crucial federal oil transport pipeline, is responsible for supplying crude oil to the Bonny export terminal in Rivers State. The explosion led to a temporary shutdown of the pipeline, raising concerns about potential environmental damage and disruptions in the oil supply chain.
However, Tony Okonedo, a spokesperson for the Renaissance Group, confirmed to journalists on Wednesday that operations have now resumed. “Operations have resumed. We previously suspended operations to respond to a third-party interference, but now we have resumed,” Okonedo said.
The explosion occurred amid ongoing political tensions in Rivers State. On Monday, lawmakers loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), initiated impeachment proceedings against the state’s governor, Siminalayi Fubara. The following day, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State due to the prolonged political crisis, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly. Tinubu also appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator of the state.
