Fuel scarcity across the country may linger for some time  as repairs on the vandalised pipelines at Arepo end of System 2B pipeline is set to begin next week.

Spokesman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Fidel Pepple informed Saturday Tribune on Friday that the corporation is awaiting security clearance to repair the vandalised pipeline.

Chairman of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Lagos Zone, Comrade Folorunso Oginni, confirmed to Saturday Tribune on Friday that six officials of the Petroleum Product Marketing Company (PPMC) had actually gone to repair the damaged spot, but the three that were under-ground sustained gun shot wounds, but escaped because they could swim while the other three on ground were killed by the vandals.

Oginni expressed concern that until the pipeline is repaired, fuel scarcity may linger due to the importance of the System 2B pipeline.

“System 2B pipeline moves from Atlas Cove jetty. The pipeline moves about 11 million litres of fuel per day, almost one-third of national daily consumption. It pumps petrol from Atlas Cove Offshore depot, Lagos, to Satellite depot in Ejigbo, Lagos; Mosimi depot, Ogun State; Ibadan depot, Oyo State; Ilorin depot,Kwara State; and Ore depot, Ondo State.

“It is also worrisome that some Nigerians benefit from what is causing problems for the whole nation and they care less about it. How could you explain the killing of personnel who were sent to carry out repairs on the pipeline,” he asked.

However, Pepple assured that once security clearance is obtained this week, work will commence next week. “We are working with the Police to ensure security in the place before and after repairs. You know the place is notorious for pipeline vandalism. It will be very insensitive of us to send more people to Arepo when we have not fully confirmed the security situation there. Currently, we are supplying 6.6 million litres per day from Lagos against 11 million litres per day, which pass through the System 2B pipeline, ” he said.

Moreso, the spokesman for the PPMC, Mr. Nasir Imodagbe, also confirmed that the bodies of the deceased workers had yet to be recovered. He added that the company was ready to send people to repair the pipeline as soon as security is assured.

He said, “As we speak, system 2B is still damaged. There is no way we can repair the system except we have security. We are ready to go and fix the problem as soon as security is assured. “You are aware that vandals had engaged security agencies at Arepo in the past.

Comments (0)

Show/hide comments

Show/hide comment form

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment