Pipeline Vandalism: Normalcy Returns At Atlas Cove, Pumping Resumes, Says PPMC

THE Pipeline Products Marketing Company, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, on Friday said that normalcy had returned to its System 2B Pipeline damaged by an explosion. The Manager, Media Relations and External Affairs, PPMC, Nasir Imodagbe, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos Friday. The explosion occurred at the Akinbo Jetty at the Atlas Cove in Ilado Community of Lagos State. System 2B supplies fuel to the western zone. Imodagbe said that the vandalised pipeline at the Akinbo Jetty had been repaired. The pipeline was vandalised on Wednesday morning, resulting in an explosion and fire that burnt three boats suspected to have been used by the vandals. About 200 jerry cans were recovered from the scene. According to Imodagbe, the damaged pipeline was repaired on Wednesday evening and full operations returned to the System 2B. ``Pumping of products resumed same day and adequate supply of products along the line to western zone has fully resumed,’’ he said. He appealed to communities hosting oil and gas pipelines to protect them against theft and vandalism. Imodagbe urged such communities ``to be the eyes and ears’’ of the Federal Government and report suspicious movements on the pipelines to security agents. Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, the Spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), South West, also told NAN that normalcy had returned. Farinloye said that prompt intervention of the NNPC and security agencies ensured that the fire was put out. ``The fire did not start from the main pipeline but the valve supplying the product. ``The first batch of our team reached there around 7:30a.m; the fire was finally put out at the Akinbo Jetty of the Atlas Cove around 10.48a.m.