By Wilson Adekumola
Some suspected vandals have reportedly burst one of the petroleum product pipelines in Ijedodo, Iktotun-Igando, Local Council Development Area, of the state on Tuesday
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the development.
While assuring that the situation was under control, said the Lagos Fire and Rescue Service, LASEMA, Nigeria Police, among other emergency responders, have sealed off the area to prevent fire incident.
Thee incident was said to have occurred due to inavailabality of petroleum products in circulation as a result of hoarding which has adversely impacted motorists and commuters since Monday because of the announcement of fuel subsidy removal during the inaugural address of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Oke-Osanyitolu said, “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.”
Meanwhile, Oke-Osanyitolu said the agency later conducted critical risk assessment with regards to safety and precautionary measures with public advocacy and sensitization to the community with a view at eliminating any contact with the leaked petroleum product.
The agency has also cordoned off the immediate and remote areas covering the incident scene
LASEMA has informed the maintenance department of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, on the development.
NNPC, promptly, shut off the valves connecting to the pipeline in the area.
“This has ultimately reduced the risk significantly, while the incident scene had been cordoned off
“The Agency’s response team 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,” LASEMA boss assured.
