NNPC Issues Statement On Sunday’s Deadly Explosion in FESTAC Lagos

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has released a statement to the public, explaining the actual cause of Sunday’s catastrophic explosion in FESTAC, Lagos.

According to the statement Dr Kennie Obateru, the Group Managing Director of NNPC’s public relations signed that, the tragedy was caused by a gas explosion.

How the Explosion Happened

The NNPC also reported that preliminary inquiries showed that a truck had rammed into some cylinders stacked in the gas processing plant near the 2B Pipeline Right of Way network of the NNPC.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (@NNPCgroup) Sunday said that the reported explosion which shook Abule Ado Area of Lagos State in the early hours of the day was because of a gas explosio which occurred after a truck hit some gas cylinders stacked in a gas processing plant located near the corporation’s system 2B Pipeline Right of Way.

The Extent of Damage

The resulting explosion was so huge that at least 50 houses were razed. Many cars were also left damaged, even as an average of 15 people lost their lives, unfortunately.

Meanwhile, to further inspect the blast site as well as the level of the damage, the group managing director of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, flew into Lagos late Sunday evening, along with some other top management of the company. He later reported the situation via his personal Twitter account. He said:

“Departing explosion site. Explosions caused by spark that ignited fire from extensively charged atmosphere that emanated from gas cylinder leakages. NNPC pipeline also impacted and ignited. Fire being contained by combined efforts of NNPC, LASG NN and FFS”.

He also tweeted, “Lagos explosion update: NNPC pipeline right of way (ROW) encroachment by gas handling vendors and construction of houses enabled the explosion and aggravated the impact. Working with LASG and security agencies to clear the ROW.”

The Bottom Line

These explanations by the NNPC and its GMD validates initial reports that linked the deadly explosion to gas leakage. Regarding the explosion, the NNPC said its pumping operations in its Atlas Cove-Mosimi pipeline, which runs through the affected Abule Ado field, had been halted. The company also said it mobilised some of its Satellite Depot’s main workers (including public protection specialists, medical personnel, and security staff) to assist with relief efforts.

The temporary shutdown of the NNPC’s Atlas Cove-Mosimi pipeline will not upset the supply of petroleum products to Lagos and its environs, the statement from the company assured.

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