BY KUNLE KALEJAYE

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, has promised to support the management of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC to restore pumping of products into the System 2B pipeline.

This is to ensure adequate distribution of petroleum products across the country, especially in the South Western part of the country.

System 2B is the pipeline that carries petroleum products from the Atlas Cove to the South Western part of the country. The pipeline was recently vandalised by men of the underworld which resulted in scarcity of petroleum products in the country.

IPMAN, South Western Zone which comprises six depots within the western region made the commitment in a joint communiqués after its zonal meeting last week in Lagos.

The South-West Zonal Chairman, Mr. Olumide Ogunmade in the joint communiqués also condemned the killing of PPMC officials trying to repair the damaged, adding that such sabotage of the socio-economic development of the country should be stopped.

He said that the ongoing product rationalisation within the South-West depots was as a result of the vandalized pipeline at Arepo. “We commiserate with the management of NNPC/PPMC on the attack of their staffs at Arepo in the cause of repairing vandalised pipeline and whose whereabouts are unknown till now. We pray the Almighty God will keep them safe.

“We promise to support the management of NNPC/PPMC in whatever way it will take in restoring System 2B pipeline in the shortest possible period,” he said.

Ogunmade also used the opportunity to appeal to Federal Government not to surrender to vandals but to ensure that System 2B pipeline is repaired, in view of the adverse effect of not having the pipeline functioning which has resulted in scarcity of products nationwide.

He also appealed to government to put stringent measures in place that will address issues relating to pipeline vandalism holistically and to curb the incessant menace. “Strong mechanism should be put in place to checkmate activities of pipeline vandals within NNPC pipeline network. We also urged the National Assembly to put in place laws that will ensure that vandals are punished.”

IPMAN further sought the support of host communities long the NNPC Right of Way to cooperate with the PPMC management to ensure that pipelines are protected. Such communities include Magboro, Magbon, Arepo, Ogere, Ijedodo, Isawo, Ogolonto in Ikorodu and a host of others.