24th July, 2015
The Manager, Corporate Affairs, Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Nasir Imodagbe says officials of the company are yet to reach the scene of the pipeline explosion in Arepo, Ogun state.
Imodagbe disclosed this in a telephone interview with NAN on Wednesday in Lagos. “We are trying to gain access to the area but the fire is going down.
“Once we access the area of vandalised spot, we will commence repairs immediately to ensure the line is re-opened for operation.
“The spot of the explosion is about two kilometres away, making it very difficult to access,” he said.
NAN correspondent gathered that the corporation has immediately shut the major pipeline which supplies imported products from the Atlas cove in Lagos to Mosinmi in Ogun State.
Meanwhile, the Spokesman of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Ibrahim Farinloye told NAN on phone that the fire had been put out while the pipeline had been shut down.
“The fire went off yesterday evening, because of measures we took by shutting down the supply on the line and suffocating the supply of fuel to the fire.
“We are still trying to gain access to the place now because of the swampy nature of the place.
“You know the pipe is under water and NNPC officials are now trying to gain access. There is no emergency again, so we have withdrawn from the area since the fire has gone off,” he added.
He said he could not give any figure of causalities following the explosion.
“Nobody has accessed the scene, so nobody can give any figure.
“How can I give figures of what I did not see,” he asked.
NAN reports that the pipeline exploded in the early hours of Wednesday following suspected activities of vandals trying to siphon petroleum products.