The death toll from the Rumuekpe community explosion in Rivers State’s Emohua Local Government Area has reportedly risen to 20.
On Friday, WITHIN NIGERIA reported that an explosion caused by illegally refined petrol killed several people in the Rivers community, severely injured others, and destroyed vehicles.
The incident was blamed on hunger and poverty in the land, according to His Royal Highness, Eze Christian Evekwuru, the paramount ruler of Rumuekpe Community.
While commiserating with families who had lost loved ones in the explosion, Eze Evekwuru recalled how, since 1958, when oil exploration began in the area, oil multinationals operating in the area allegedly refused to hire local youths.
The monarch claimed that the multinationals have failed to establish any industry to help their host community, but has rather, “cleverly avoided the community leaders and engaged some dubious characters of their choice as pipeline surveillance agents who in return easily sabotage them at will.”
He said despite being host community to four oil companies, there was nothing to show for it except incessant fire outbreaks and other calamities in the community.
The monarch added that all efforts to draw the attention of the Federal Government to their plight had proved abortive, in spite of their contribution to the nation’s economy.
The Rumuekpe Paramount Ruler also accused security agencies of having knowledge of the illegal refining activities going on in the area.
He further appealed to FG to collaborate with the oil companies and consider compensating the families of the dead victims.