YENAGOA—The Bayelsa State Government has called for Federal Government’s intervention, to check frequent oil pipeline explosions in the Niger Delta.

Bayelsa State’s Commissioner for Environment, Mr Iniruo Wills, who made the call in an interview in Yenagoa, yesterday, regretted that such explosions had caused the death of many residents.

Wills said that the Federal Government should “declare a state of emergency” on the issue and take urgent and drastic steps to stem the tide of destruction caused by the incidents.

His call was sequel to the July 9, pipeline explosion at an oil field operated by Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC in Azuzuama, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

It will be recalled that during a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to oil spill site, by state and Federal Governments’ officials a fire disaster occurred that claimed 14 lives.