The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has initiated an investigation into the series of barge explosions that recently occurred in Rivers State, causing significant pollution and affecting fishing communities near Cawthorne Channel 1 and Alakiri Kulama.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Head of Public Relations at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Mr. Osagie Edward on Wednesday.
He stated that the preliminary reports from NIMASA’s Search and Rescue team indicate that the explosions have led to significant pollution, potentially impacting fishing communities such as Ayo-Tamuno and Miebaka.
Edward stated that NIMASA’s accident investigation team, after collecting samples from the incident site, confirmed the presence of a visible oil film covering a large portion of the water surface.
He mentioned that the investigation also revealed that all affected barges were laden with crude oil at the time of the explosion.
“At approximately 14:10 hours on February 19, a fire broke out on the dry crude storage barge BESTAF5 at Cawthorne Channel 1, spreading to other barges. The affected vessels include the Goshen Link fuel barge, owned by Geonofeg Resources Limited, and the Godgift fuel barge,” Edward said.
NIMASA’s Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, stated that the agency is collaborating with other government bodies and local communities to mitigate the environmental impact.
“We will work closely with other relevant government agencies and host communities to manage the environmental impact of this incident. Our team has conducted multiple site visits, and these will continue until a final report determines both the immediate and underlying causes of the explosion. Learning from this event is critical to preventing similar occurrences in the future,” Mobereola stated.
The DG stressed that while pollution control is a key focus for NIMASA, the agency remains dedicated to pollution prevention as the best way to safeguard Nigeria’s marine environment.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing loud explosions before a raging fire engulfed parts of the waterway, forcing fishermen and residents to flee.
