Suspected vandals on Tuesday busted one of the petroleum product pipelines in Ijedodo, Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area of the Lagos State.
This followed fuel scarcity as a result of hoarding of the products, which has caused untold hardship on motorists and commuters.
The sate Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and Nigeria Police and other emergency responders cordoned off the area to forestall fire outbreak.
LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyitolu explained that the situation was promptly put under control.
According to him, “on arrival at the incident scene, the agency’s response team found some visible quantities of leaked petroleum product (petrol) on the land surface.
“Investigation conducted by the agency’s response team revealed the immediate cause of the leaked petroleum product was due to damaged pipelines”.
Oke-Osanyitolu said that the agency conducted critical risk assessment with regards to safety and precautionary measures, public advocacy and sensitisation of the community in order to eliminate any contact with the leaked petroleum product.
He further said that agency cordoned off the immediate and remote areas covering the incident scene
He said that LASEMA informed the maintenance department of the NNPC Limited of the incident, and the company had shut off the valves connecting to the pipeline in the area.
Oke-Osanyitolu explained: “This has ultimately reduced the risk significantly, while the incident scene had been cordoned off
“The agency’s response team as well as the Lagos Fire Service, NSCDC Anti-Vandal units, and the Nigeria Police (Isheri Osun division) are on ground to avert any unsafe act(s) and unsafe actions.
“Assessment and re-assessment ongoing with a view at identifying any potential threats.
“The entire community is safe with no palpable tension recorded”.
