BY EMMA OVUAKPORIE
ABUJA — NIGER Delta representatives yesterday on the floor of the House demanded that all agencies involved in the oil industry should as a matter of urgency instal sensors to monitor pipelines in a bid to checkmate vandalisation and burst pipes from recurring.

This was sequel to a motion sponsored by Overah Onofekowho, Delta, on burst Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, pipelines at Ovwore Amukpe in Sapele local government area of Delta State.

Onofekowho noted that the ruptured NNPC pipeline, which went up in flames last Tuesday at Ovwore, could have been averted if there were sensors and surveillance system in areas where such pipes were laid.

Also, the Rep asked relevant agencies to send relief materials to victims of Ovwore community where so many lives were lost due to the ruptured pipes.

He went on memory lane citing the debacle of Jesse where over 1,000 Deltans lost their lives in 1998 because of ruptured pipes and pleaded with the relevant agencies to do something to help avoid such senseless deaths.

The Rep also noted:  “I am concerned about the degree of damage caused by this inferno which claimed many lives and rendered many homeless and farmlands desolate, the National Environment Management Agency, NEMA, should, as a matter of urgency, send relief materials to the affected families in the area. “

He urged the Petroleum Product Marketing Company, PPMC, and National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, to immediately effect repair on burst pipeline.

Speaking in the same vein, Halims Agoda, Delta said” I support the motion of Overah because it is only one mile that is dividing my place from his place.

“If you remember the Jesse pipe burst that killed more than 1000 people in 1998 that is my place and to avoid such recurrence there should be regular surveillance of where pipes are laid.”

“It is a pitiable situation the necessary machinery should be quickly put in place to help alleviate the sufferings of the people in the community.”

Igo Agoma, Rivers, House Committee Chairman on Gas Resources said, “I sympathise with my brother and he needs all the support because most pipe bursts are caused by vandalism and there is a need for surveillance in places that the pipes are laid.