President Olusegun Oba-sanjo at the weekend ordered heads of the nation�s security agencies to co-operate in providing increased security around oil pipelines across Nigeria.
Obasanjo who is currently on a state visit to Indonesia, also ordered an investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the pipeline explosion in Ilado area of Lagos where death toll increased yesterday to 235 victims.
The President who is said to be angry at the incident said security around the pipelines in the country should be beefed-up, immediately warning that anyone caught in any act of vandalisation would be severely dealt with.
Wailing and anguish continued yesterday in Inagbe village, a riverine community in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, as the death toll from Friday�s pipeline fire reached 235.
All the victims, said to have come from over 40 communities surrounding the Inagbe village were given mass burial at the site.
The victims had converged on the vandalised oil products pipeline to scoop fuel when the tragedy occurred.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) also yesterday, called on the nation�s security agencies to increase their surveillance of the network of oil pipelines as the vandals are getting more sophisticated and daring in their attacks on the facilities.
Scores of the bodies were seen being pulled out yesterday from the river, where apparently, most of the victims had jumped into to escape from the raging fire.
The Head, Lagos State Coordinator of Disaster, Mr. Tunde Akano, who was engaged in the rescue work, told newsmen yesterday afternoon that about 200 bodies were recovered by Friday night while another 35 were brought out early yesterday.
�We recover more than 200 (bodies). Today we brought out new bodies of about 35. There will be more as the bodies continue to float,� he said, adding �the people came with boats from about 40 communities in Ilado village.�
Over 250 jerry cans with which the victims had besieged the vandalized pipeline to scoop fuel, littered the site.
Speaking to newsmen after inspecting the scene, the Group Managaing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engr. Funsho Kupolokun, while lamenting the huge loss of lives from the pipeline fire, made a passionate appeal against vandalisation of oil pipelines.
According to Kupolokun, apart from the disruption to fuel supply and consequently, economic losses to the nation, the loss of lives remained very painful.
�We say it over and over that when you vandalize our pipeline, the first thing is that you could lose your life. It is worthless,� said Kupolokun.
�When you vandalise pipelines, you add to our problems. There could be fuel scarcity and disruptions,� he said.
The NNPC chief executive said the Corporation would be working more closely with the Marine Police to patrol the oil pipelines especially the Atlas Cove � Mosimi Depot axis, which has become prone to vandalisation in recent times.
He said the vandals were now more sophisticated. �They have the tools, the expertise. They come to the village. The real vandals are not the villagers. They know the business,� said he.
�For over hundred people to gather here for so long at the same time with so many vessels, it is something we don�t understand. We will work with the police to reinforce the team. We can only go to the police for help,� Kupolokun said.
On claims that the pipelines were getting weaker due to age, the NNPC GMD disagreed, adding that the age of the pipelines had nothing to do with vandals burrowing deep into the facilities to rip them open to steal products. �The depth of the pipelines we have is the depth applicable internationally. People should just be responsible enough and keep away from our lines.�
Kupolokun said that the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) had already resumed fuel pumping from the Atlas Cove through the pipeline to Mosimi depot.
The Inagbe pipeline fire is the fourth of such incidents in the past three years in Lagos State. Similar fire incidents were recorded at Ejigbo pipeline in 2002 and the Atlas Cove pipeline in 2003.
Source: ThisDay