LAWMAKER CRIES AS PIPELINE EXPLOSION CLAIMS FIVE LIVES IN IMO

REPORTER:  CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

Reactions have continued to trail pipeline explosion that occurred in Obitti Community of Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, which claimed the lives of about five persons.

The lawmaker representing the area in the House of Representatives, Chief Eugene Dibiagwu, who visited the scene, attributed the inferno to the activities of crude oil vandals, who had continued to sabotage Nigeria’s economy.

He expressed regret that innocent persons lost their lives and farmlands destroyed when the fire, which also razed a tanker used in bunkering, gutted the area.

Chief Dibiagwu appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant institutions to come to the aid of the community to avert imminent hunger and outbreak of diseases.

Chief Dibiagwu, who represents Ohaji-Egbema, Oguta and Oru West Constituency in the Green Chambers.

He expressed the optimism that the Oetroleum Industry Act, which has given more stake to oil bearing communities, would help to check the activities of pipeline vandals as the communities are now co-owners of oil facilities.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU