Pipeline vandals putting our lives in danger –Isheri, Baruwa residents cry out

Residents of the Baruwa and Isheri area of Lagos have lamented and raised alarm over the recurrent activities of vandals on oil pipelines, posing threat to the community.

This comes on the heels of a recent explosion of another pipeline which resulted into destruction of lives and property occurred in Baruwa area of Lagos State on December 5.

It was gathered that The fire which raged through the swampy area destroyed everything on its path and the two wooden bridges which link Isheri with Baruwa was partly destroyed by the fire. This destruction has made residents of the areas close to the pipeline cried to government and security agents to be more vigilant in protecting the facilities.

The President of Diamond Estate Residents Association, Mr Olaniran Olasoji, told PUNCH an interview that although the pipeline did not pass through the estate but anytime there was a leakage as a result of vandals’ activities fuel flowed down the swamp and this posed a great danger to residents of the estate especially those whose houses were very close to the swamp.

“We do not know the identities of those who ruptured the pipeline. The pipeline does not pass through our estate, but we are under threat of the activities of vandals.

“We always tell residents of houses close to the swamp not to burn anything because such might cause an explosion if there is a leakage.

“Pipeline vandals are putting everybody’s life at risk and when fuel flows down the swamp and there is fire along the path, the fire can spread anywhere. That was why we called the Environmental and Safety Department of the NNPC when the last one happened. We always call them anytime we start smelling fuel odour. We usually asked them to check their facilities and see if there anything wrong with it.

Speaking to PUNCH, another resident of the estate, Folasade Adeoye, said security agencies should step up their surveillance in the area to prevent vandals from further putting the lives of the people around in danger.

In his view, a resident of Baruwa area, Taye Adeniyi, told our correspondent that the neglect of the area by the government was one of the reasons why hoodlums always have a field day breaking pipeline and siphoning fuel with ease.

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