NNPC warns Arepo pipeline vandals, allays fear of fuel scarcity

IT may no longer be business as usual for oil pipeline vandals as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said it has put necessary measures in place to adequately prosecute them. Besides, the corporation has allayed fear of possible fuel scarcity as a result of the latest pipeline explosion at Arepo in Ogun State. It was learnt that the corporation has entered an agreement with state governments, security operatives and the judiciary, and adopted designs and innovations to ensure that pipelines are protected from vandals.
The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, who spoke to journalists at Arepo Monday, warned pipeline vandals to surrender, saying: “Vandals should note that with this attention from all key stakeholders, it is time up for them and we are asking them to surrender. Already, some arrests have been made. We require the support of the judiciary to ensure that criminals are brought to book.”
Yakubu stressed the need for the state government and local authorities to be involved in securing the pipelines, noting: “This is the time for action. I am glad that the governor of Ogun State came to inspect this damage and he is ready to collaborate with us. We have talked to him in the past.
“This is a serious challenge that needs the co-operation of all stakeholders. You can see that what belongs to us in this Arepo is only the right of way. Outside the right of way, every other thing is not within our jurisdiction. We need the co-operation of state governments. We need a secure environment to operate. The permanent solution is to engage in some innovation.
“We want to put on record that the Governor of Ogun State is collaborating with us. In fact, the governor wants to do exactly what is being done by the Governor of Abia State in respect of engaging the community. This is the kind of model we want to see.”
Yakubu allayed the fear of possible scarcity of fuel due to the vandalism of pipeline at Arepo. He said: “We have enough stock at Mosimi. What we are trying to do now is to ensure that we manage the situation without obstruction of product.
“We have already repaired the damaged pipeline for operations. We can go as we speak, but we just noticed some observation and we think we can put in additional measures with regard to further intervention.”
Governor Amosun was said to have, during an on-the spot assessment of the pipeline fire, described the incident as a clear failure of governance, stating: “Indeed, I have to say that the NNPC, by its inaction, is aiding and abetting this and I want to believe it is part of the pipeline vandalism.
“In fact, people here are endangering their lives because there is no access to this place. Look at the canoe that NNPC is using in this time and age to protect a multi-billion dollar investment! Even if the place is combustive, can’t they use solar-powered boats? For me, it is straight forward, if NNPC supports us, we will get the whole place cleared.
“And if we are given five to 10 swamp boogies, we will clear this place, erect platforms and install electronic devices. We will put up CCTV and also have a control room that will monitor the place.”
But the NNPC, in swift response, described Amosu’s comment as disappointing, urging him to beef up security in his territory rather than engage in “unnecessary rhetoric.” The NNPC Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, Ms Tumini Green, said the incident was shocking, as it occurred barely a month after it was fixed following a fire caused by products thieves, who had ruptured the same pipeline in August 2012.
Green, in a statement yesterday, said the corporation was shocked by Amosun’s allegation that the incident was as result of negligence on the part of NNPC.
IN a separae development, Suspected vandals have again breached a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Epe, Lagos State, barely 48 hours after a vandalised pipeline exploded, killing over 30 people at Arepo in Ogun State.
A Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Shem Obasheye, who disclosed this Monday, said: “My boys told me that they were going to Epe. When they got to Epe, the pipeline there had been busted. The vandals ran away.”
According to him, his men, however, recovered 11 50-litre containers of PMS (petrol) at the scene of the bust pipeline. The System 2B pipeline at Arepo was again vandalised last weekend barely a month after it was fixed.
The country has recorded three pipeline vandalism in the last three weeks. The first was at Ijedodo, Ijegun area of Lagos, followed by Arepo, Ogun State, and now Epe.