Ike Amos
25 October 2018, Sweetcrude, Lagos — The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday, warned petroleum products consumers across the nation against mishandling of white products, especially as the dry season draws near.
In a statement in Abuja, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, stated that experience had shown that commuters stock petroleum products at home or move about with them in their vehicle boot at this period of the year, exposing themselves and others to serious danger.
Ughamadu said the incident involving a car laden with fuel which burst into flames while in motion last week at Umuode community, Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State, exemplified the danger of transporting inflammable petroleum products in a vehicle not made for that purpose.
The corporation’s spokesman admonished communities hosting NNPC facilities to refrain from taping products from NNPC pipelines or engaging in activities that may lead to a spill of petroleum products, saying individuals involved in such an act may suffer untold casualties.
He encouraged communities in NNPC’s areas of operations to report suspicious movements around the corporation’s facilities to the law enforcement agencies, adding that observing basic safety rule of keeping away from areas where inflammable petroleum products spills had occurred could save lives and properties.
Recently, fatalities were recorded while property worth millions of Naira were lost when some members of Umuaduru and Umuimo communities in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State were caught in a fire while they were reportedly scooping petrol around NNPC’s pipeline in their community.
Meanwhile, Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Maikanti Baru, has assured motorists and other consumers of petroleum products of availability of white products for their comfort as the year-end festivities draw near.
Baru explained that NNPC has 37 days fuel sufficiency, stressing that the strategies had been put in place to ensure that Nigerians experience a hitch-free festive period.
