16 July 2012, Sweetcrude, Abuja – The Senator Magnus Abe led Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has blamed last Thursday’s tanker inferno in which 98 people lost their lives at Okobie, in Ahoada West, Rivers State, on the alleged neglect of oil pipelines by the Federal Government.
Senator Magnus Abe (PDP, Rivers) described the incident as avoidable, adding that the government can no longer afford to ignore investments in pipeline infrastructure to transport petroleum products across the country.
“This unfortunate incident offers us another opportunity to address the critical issue of our pipelines. As we mourn, let’s also pray that God give us wisdom and courage to address issues of our pipelines so that this incident will be the last of its kind in our country.
“Moving petroleum products in small quantities by tankers over long distances is simply too expensive, too dangerous and financially unsustainable in the long term,” Abe said.
