Governorship candidate threatened to drag NNPC to court

The Governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party in Abia state Mr. Joseph Nkoro, has reportedly threatened to drag the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over the pipeline explosion in two communities of Osisioma Local Government Area of the state last week Friday. 

Recall that twin explosion in Umuaduru and Umuimo communities had claimed over 150 lives with several others receiving treatment in various medical centres in the state.

The residents of the two communities had stated that negligence on the part of the NNPC to maintain the pipeline caused the explosion.

But in a swift reaction the spokesman of the NNPC Mr. Ndu Ughamadu refuted the accusations on Thursday last week.

He said the incident was triggered off by suspected oil thieves who had hacked into System 2E pipeline network of the corporation with a view to intercepting the flow of petrol from Port Harcourt to Aba.

But Nkoro who visited the site of the explosion berated the NNPC for not taking responsibility of the damages its alleged negligence caused the indigenes of the two communities.

Speaking from the Umuimo site of the explosion the gubernatorial hopeful said he would ensure that NNPC compensates the locals for the damages caused by the explosion.

He said, ” There are  clear evidences that the communities affected by the explosion had reported the leakages on the pipeline to NNPC, but they did nothing about it.

“They intentionally ignored the calls to maintain the pipeline until the explosion occurred and caused people their lives, building and farm lands.

“I stand here to say without mixing words that we take legal action against NNPC and get justice for the people.”