Connect with us

Business

NNPC blames oil thieves for Abia pipeline fire

NNPC has blamed oil thieves for the fire incident that happened on System 2E pipeline network in Umuaduru and Umuimo communities in Abia

Published

on

NNPC Group Chairman, Maikanti Baru
NNPC Group Chairman, Maikanti Baru says oil thieves cause of pipeline fire in Umuaduru and Umuimo communities in Abia
NNPC Group Chairman, Maikanti Baru says oil thieves cause of pipeline fire in Umuaduru and Umuimo communities in Abia

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says the fire incident that happened on System 2E pipeline network  in Umuaduru and Umuimo communities in Abia state was caused by suspected oil thieves.

The Corporation disclosed this in a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr Ndu Ughamadu, in Abuja, on Friday.

He said that the allegation that negligence on the part of the corporation  caused the  fire incident Friday last week, was false.

He affirmed that the incident was triggered off by suspected oil thieves who had hacked into System 2E pipeline network  with a view to intercepting the flow of petrol from Port Harcourt to Aba.

Ughamadu said the clarification became necessary in view of the recent statement by a legislator indicting NNPC on the fire outbreak which had claimed lives and valuable properties.

Advertisement

READ: Buhari vows to support N1.5bn PENGASSAN project

The NNPC spokesperson explained that the presence of items such as jerrycans, among others, at the scene of the incident as contained in the preliminary report on the matter indicated that the activities of vandals in the area ignited the flame.

He regretted that incessant vandalism of pipeline facilities along System 2Ex Pipeline Right of Way (PROW) has led to the underutilisation of the Enugu Depot, saying that the breaches have prevented the corporation from pumping fuel into it.

He called on relevant government agencies to collaborate with the corporation to appropriately criminalise vandalism of oil facilities across the country, adding that host communities should also partner the NNPC to tame the scourge.

Advertisement

Ughamadu prayed that God reposes the souls of the innocent ones that perished in the incident and  warned members of the public against tempering with oil facilities which he described as inflammable.

Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 ChronicleNG

Discover more from Chronicle.ng

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading