NNPC speaks on Abulegba explosion, shuts down system 2B pipeline

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has shutdown fuel supply on system 2B pipeline, the installation rocked by an early morning fire at densely populated Abule Egba area of Lagos State, on Wednesday.

FAZENOTETV earlier reported that several vehicles were at the early hours of Wednesday burnt beyond recognition at Ebule Egba area of Lagos in a fire explosion caused by activities of suspected pipeline vandals.

Residential and commercial houses were also affected.

Group General manager, Group Public Affairs division of NNPC, Ndu Ughamadu, in a statement said that the Group Managing Director of Corporation, Dr. Maikainti Baru, has directed the Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company to carry out full investigation of the incident and effect immediate repairs of affected portion.

The corporation said the swift action was a precautionary move by its subsidiary, Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), which aided the extinguishing of the raging inferno.

The statement read in part: “System 2B is the pipeline that is used to transport refined petroleum products from Atalas Cove to depots in Satellite Town, Ejigbo in Lagos; Mosimi in Ogun State; Ibadan in Oyo State; Ore in Ondo State and Ilorin in Kwara State.

“While the whole stretch of the pipeline has been the target of vandals in the past, the section at Abule Egba has also been a notorious spot through, which scores of lives have been lost in the past.

“The Wednesday’s vandalisation and resultant fire incident on the pipeline in Abule Egba area of Lagos would however not affect petroleum products distribution during the Christmas season.”