Pipeline Explosion Destroys Properties Worth Millions of Naira.

The Warri-Effurun metropolis witnessed a terrible pipeline explosion yesterday when a pipeline belonging to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, along mechanic village in Effurun Rounabout/Overhead bridge, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State exploded.


Many of the residence and sales personnel around the area complained of the frequent re-occurence of such explosion. Because in less than two weeks the same pipeline exploded as a result of oil sillage which happened to be the same reason for yesterday terrible explosion.

 An eyewitness said; the Sapele dual carriageway where the mechanic site was located, was filled with crude oil spill on Thursday. He added that the development attracted officials of the NNPC who came to drain the products.
 
"We woke up on Thursday morning and discovered crude oil flood along  Sapele road. Of course that same morning, NNPC brought about three fuel tankers to drain the oil."

"At about 9 am (Friday), there was fire. It had spread everywhere. No life was lost; soldiers have been on guard since Thursday," he said.

However, vehicles and shops worth millions of naira were burnt beyond recognition.

"One bus owner parked his new Toyota Hiace to buy something and it was engulfed in flame before he returned."

The Director, Group Public Affairs of NNPC, Ohi Alegbe, blamed the incident on saboteurs. He appealed to the people to see the pipeline as national asset that should be protected by them.

"About two weeks ago, we had a similar problem and we are still trying to remediate the environment before this, it is not good," he said.