NNPC BLAMES LAST WEEK’S PIPELINE FIRE IN OSISIOMA ON ACTIVITIES OF VANDALS

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has denied culpability in the pipeline fire incident that occurred last week in Umuaduru and Umuimo communities in Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State.

The NNPC, in a statement by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, said the incident was not as a result of negligence on its part, but was triggered by suspected oil thieves who had hacked into its System 2E pipeline network with a view to intercepting the flow of petrol from Port Harcourt to Aba.

According to the statement, 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 property.  It explained that the presence of items such as jerrycans 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.

The statement regretted that incessant vandalism of pipeline facilities along System 2E Pipeline Right of Way, led to the underutilization of the Enugu Depot, saying that the breaches had prevented the corporation from pumping fuel into it.

NDUBUISI OZOILO