Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Magnus Abe has bemoaned the petroleum tanker fire which consumed over 100 lives in Port Harcourt, Rivers State last week, describing it as avoidable incident.
Abe however, pinned blame on the Federal Government, saying they can no longer afford to ignore investment pipeline infrastructure to transport petroleum products round the country.
He decried movement of petroleum products by tankers, adding that it is a wasteful venture which is also dangerous as well as unsustainable for long-term investment in the sector.
In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, Senator Abe urged government and stakeholders in the petroleum sector to take a cue from other countries and break dependence on oil tankers.
“I condole with the Rivers State Government and the affected families but let us also use this sad incident to draw attention to the fact that we have said repeatedly that one of the greatest challenges facing this country is our inability to maintain, improve and police our pipeline infrastructure.
“Moving petroleum products in small quantities by tankers over long distances is simply too expensive, too dangerous and financially unsustainable in the long term.
“Even countries that do not produce petroleum products have good and efficient pipeline networks to ensure speed and cost efficiency in distribution. Nigeria and its future cannot remain hostage to commercial tanker owners.
“This unfortunate incident offers us another opportunity to address the critical issue of our pipelines. As we mourn let us also pray that God almighty will give us wisdom and courage to address issues of our pipelines, so that this incident will be the last of its kind in our dear country.
It could be recalled that no fewer than 100 persons were burnt to death last Thursday at Okobie, in Ahoada West, Rivers State, as they rushed to scoop fuel from a tanker which overturned, after involvement in an accident.
No comments:
Post a Comment