OREANDA-NEWS. Less than 24 hours after men suspected to be oil thieves ruptured the Mosimi –Ibadan fuel supply pipeline along the crucial System 2B oil Pipeline network leading to a massive inferno, the Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC on Sunday announced that it has successfully resumed fuel supply operation to Ibadan and its environs after repair works on the damaged line.

Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Tumini Green stated that a team of engineers and technologists from the NNPC and its downstream subsidiary, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC worked assiduously over the weekend to restore the line to normal operation.

The NNPC Spokes person stated that the Corporation was quick to respond because of its determination in ensuring that Nigerians do not undergo any form of scarcity in supply of petroleum products as a result of the activities of some unpatriotic citizens.

At exactly 20.06 hrs on Saturday, the Mosimi –Ibadan line was re-streamed after repair works at the ruptured point. While we remain committed to our resolve in ensuring ulnimpeded distribution of petroleum products across the country despite the mounting odds, we call on members of the public to support the NNPC and the security agencies in this fight against oil thieves and pipeline hackers,’’ Tumini stated.

The NNPC called on Ibadan residents and the adjoining communities to refrain from panic buying or hoarding of petroleum products in anticipation of scarcity.

For something now the efforts of the NNPC in ensuring unimpeded distribution of products through its vast artery of pipelines have come under serious threat due to the activities of oil thieves especially in the System 2B pipeline network which accounts for a third of products supply in the country.

Over 774 ruptured points was recorded between August to October, 2012 along the System 2B artery .

The NNPC is currently working with the Engineering Corps of the Nigerian Army to clear the pipeline right of way from the Atlas -Cove in Lagos to the Ilorin Depot in Kwara State. The Corporation is also introducing the Horizontal Direct Drilling System, HDD to redirect the pipelines from the reach of vandals.