The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Ejigbo Satellite Depot, has expressed concern about ongoing pipeline vandalism at Idimu in Lagos’ Alimosho Local Council Development Area.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the chairman of IPMAN Ejigbo Satellite Depot, Mr. Akin Akinrinade, stated on Sunday that some vandals had been caught stealing petrol on a section of the System 2B pipeline in front of the Good Luck Estate in Idimu fled as security personnel tried to capture them.
“The pipeline owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited was vandalized in Idimu in Alimosho LCDA, Lagos State, in front of the Good Luck Estate,” according to Akinrinade.
The efforts of IPMAN and NNPCL to guarantee a continuous supply of petrol to Lagos and the entire Southwest area of Nigeria have been hampered by this ongoing vandalism.
“It is significant that a 33,000-liter truck with the license plate JND 162 XA, registered to marketer R. A. Oluwakemi, was stopped at the scene of petrol theft in Idimu.”
He urged the Lagos State Government, which has a responsibility to safeguard people and property under its control, to take the initiative to safeguard the NNPCL pipelines located within the state.
The marketer claimed that residents also had a responsibility to safeguard these crucial government facilities and give IPMAN and security agencies reliable and timely information regarding the pipes.
“Together, we can improve Nigeria for everyone,” he continued.
According to Akinrinade, the vandals abandoned their trucks and all of their scooping equipment before fleeing.
Therefore, the chairman denounced pipeline vandalism in the area and added that continued pipeline vandalism was harming the nation’s economic development.
He asked security personnel at the federal and state levels to uphold their obligations by making sure that such activities were stopped.
“We at the Ejigbo Satellite Depot are prepared to assist security personnel in putting an end to pipeline vandalism.
“We have a mechanism in place that discourages vandalism. Security personnel stationed near the pipeline network should help in patrolling the axis,” he added.
Akinrinade advised security personnel tasked with protecting the pipes to establish connections with IPMAN executives and the local traditional leaders.
He warned that anyone apprehended attempting to damage oil facilities will be turned over to the law enforcement agency to get the proper punishment.
