Hundreds of youths from Osisioma Local government area of Abia state has protested at NNPC depot in Osisioma, demanding explanation over what they termed negligence of NNPC, which the youths claimed led to pipeline explosion which killed about 19 persons last Friday.
The protesters marched around the streets of Osisioma with banners and placards with different inscriptions.
The Abia command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC), had on Friday, confirmed the death of 19 persons following the pipeline explosion.
The State commandant of the NSCDC, Mr. Benito Eze, said that 16 persons including one woman, died in the explosion that occurred at Umuaduru village in Osisioma local government area.
Speaking while protesting at Osisioma NNPC depot, Tuesday, the spokesman of the irate youths, Nwabueze Princewill, expresses displeasure over the statement credited to the management of the NNPC, where it allegedly linked the pipeline explosion to vandals.
According to him,”We are giving them the next 24 hours to counter the press statement in which they pronounced us vandals.
“We are tired of burying our own brothers, mothers, children, and loved ones, who fell victim of the NNPC negligence.
” We are peacefully protesting, the NNPC depot manager lied that he is in Port Harcourt to report on the issue.
“We will continue to push for justice, and justice we must get.
“It is also important to state that till this moment, the manager of NNPC Osisioma depot is yet to visit the sites of the incidents or any of the family of the victims.
As at the time of the protest, the NNPC depot manager in Osisioma, was not on seat to address the youths.
Meanwhile, a philanthropist, Chamberlain Adiaso has called on the National Emergency Management Agency,NEMA, to as a matter of urgency help in rehabilitating the victims of the gas pipeline explosion in Osisioma Local Government Area.
He noted that the quick intervention of government at all levels will help in quickening the recovery rate of the injured.
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