Nigeria – Emergency Workers Struggle to Access Site of NNPC Pipeline Explosion
Over 24 hours after an explosion rocked the vandalised Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline at Ije Ododo, Lagos, emergency workers are yet to access the scene of fire.
THISDAY gathered that even though the fire is still raging hours later, due to the swampy nature of the terrain, the emergency workers are yet to access the site.
When contacted, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) spokesperson, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, blamed the swampy nature of the terrain for their inability to put out the fire.
He said: “The swampy nature of the terrain has greatly hampered the various efforts of emergency agencies who have been trying to reach the explosion point at Ije Ododo since Tuesday morning.
“However, as at yesterday, we have been able to construct some metres of platforms, but from the look of things, it might drag on till tomorrow (Thursday) before it can be completed.
“Once, we reach the fire source, it won’t take us 15 minutes for fire to be put out. However, pumping of product, diesel, will resume latest by tomorrow evening immediately we put out the fire.”
Although Farinloye could not confirm if there were casualties, it was gathered that the explosion might have burnt some of the vandals to death.
Meanwhile, Farinloye said another fire outbreak occurred at Hazzan Street, Greenville Estate, Ajah, as well as at Aromire Street, Allen Avenue, Olowokere Street, Agege and a storey-building at Suramogaji Street, off Coker Street, Ilupeju.
He also said a teenager was swept into the Orilowo Ejigbo canal and was trapped, even as he said they buried the fireman that died while trying to rescue a victim from a domestic well.