NNPC gas pipeline explodes off Lagos-Ibadan expressway

NNPC gas pipeline explodes Tuesday off the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, causing panic among motorists, residents and traders within the vicinity.

Gas pipeline belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation exploded on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway after an excavator being used by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc accidentally burst the pipeline.

The pipeline burst caused gas leakage, which resulted in traffic obstruction on both sides of the road.

A project staff member of the Federal Ministry of Power, Work and Housing, had this to say:

“We were using an excavator at the time, but we did not know that there is a pipeline running through that area. Suddenly, around 2pm, we heard an explosion, which lifted all of us off the ground.

“Thank God for the operator of the excavator; he is our hero. He was the one who started using his equipment to pour sand on the spot to prevent a fire outbreak. He could have died while trying to save us but we thank God that we did not lose anyone.

“We subsequently stopped the traffic to prevent a fire outbreak and we quickly called the appropriate agencies to put the situation under control.”

SOURCE: Opera News