The Nigerian National Petroleum (NNPC) pipeline at the new site of Ijegun Imore community in Oriade Local Council Development Area of Lagos State has again ruptured, gushing out diesel.
It was gathered that the pipeline ruptured on Monday, February 10, barely two weeks after the January 25 incident that devastated the community.
The latest incident has caused a massive oil spillage in the canal that runs through the community as a drainage system. It was gathered that residents of the area has taken advantage of the situation to scoop diesel spilled into the canal and sold it in litres to willing buyers even on the spot of the incident.
Findings revealed that a 50-litre gallon was sold for between N4,500 and N5,000 while a drum of diesel went for N15,000.
Angered by the recent development, Chairman of Newsite Landlords Association, Ijegun Imore, Chief Emmanuel Akalika, who was hospitalized yesterday after inhaling the odour from the spillage, condemned the attitude of those who have been scooping the diesel and urged the management of the NNPC to urgently address the situation.
“Although, NNPC officials have told stated that they have fixed the ruptured pipeline and promised to come to clean up the area properly, we are appealing strongly that the relevant agencies should come to the area quickly to address the situation because it has become chaotic.
“Just yesterday, some of our youths in the area confronted the NNPC officials who were seen driving some diesel laden tankers from the area. The youths told them to first address the chaotic situation caused by the ruptured pipeline in the community before taking away the tankers as it appeared that they were only interested in salvaging their products without caring about the hazards caused by the spillage,” he said.