A vandalised pipeline site at Arepo, Ogun State.| credits: File copy
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has said it will commence the repair of the burst petroleum products’ pipeline in Arepo, Ogun State, when the area is fully secured by security operatives.
The corporation, through its subsidiary, the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company, on Thursday succeeded in putting out fire at the site of Wednesday’s explosion following the vandalism of the pipeline by oil thieves. But security operatives have yet to fully take over the place.
Our correspondent got gathered from the Public Affairs unit of the corporation on Thursday that the NNPC had yet to assess the damage to a key pipeline carrying petrol to Lagos and the South-West region following the major explosion, which led to the loss of lives.
The incident forced the NNPC to shut down the System 2B, which supplies petroleum products from the Atlas Cove jetty to depots in Mosimi, Ejigbo, Ibadan, Ore and Ilorin.
The spokesperson for the PPMC, Mr. Nasir Imodagbe, confirmed that the pipeline was shut down after the explosion on Wednesday.
He said the action was taken to mitigate the loss of more lives and property.
The National Emergency Management Agency said it could not provide the death toll over a day later as its workers could still not safely access the swampy area.
“The fire is out but the terrain is difficult to access. We still need to assess the damage. The line has been shut down and there is no effect to petrol availability as we have full depots,” Imodagbe said, adding that the depots had enough products to last a few days.
The NNPC spokesperson, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, said in a text message, “The fire has been extinguished. The next step is to seek and obtain security assistance for our team of engineers to access the site and scope the extent of damage; afterwards, a decision would be taken on when to open the lines.”
Source: punch
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