Reps To Investigate NNPC Pipelines Right Of Way

Nigerian House of Representatives has resolved to set up an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate Compliance with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Pipelines Right of Way, citing of Tanks Farms, Oil and Gas Stations within and around Residential buildings in the country, Electricity Power Lines, Communication Cable Lines, Railway Lines, Highways and the role of all relevant approving and enforcement Government Agencies to prevent future disaster.

This resolution was reached followed a motion moved by Rep. Chike John Okafor on the need to Investigate Compliance with All Rights of Way in Nigeria, Citing of Oil and Gas Stations as well as Tank Farms within Residential Areas during Tuesday plenary at floor of the Green Chamber, National Assembly, Abuja.

Rep. Chike John Okafor ( APC, Imo ) in his motion pointed out that Right of Way is a type of easement or access granted or reserved over land for usage purposes such as Highways, Railways Transportation, Electricity Transmission lines, Oil and Gas Pipelines, a distance for citing of Oil and Gas Stations, Canals and Flood Plains and any encroachment or abuse constitutes a great danger and puts the lives of many innocent people at risk and was seconded by Rep. Mariam Onuoha.

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The body of the motion reads: “the House notes the reoccurring pipeline fire disasters in almost all the states in Nigeria with devastating effects, high casualty rates and untold hardships to Nigerians, a situation which has been alleged to be mostly linked to the abuse of pipeline right of way by individuals, organizations and corporate bodies as the safety distance zone (Right of way) remains between 600 and 700 feet, which is being flagrantly abused;

“Further notes the indiscriminate and hazardous citing of Oil and Gas Stations as well as Tank Farms within and around residential areas against the approved distance of safety and prevention of health hazards, with the recent Ijegun Tank Farm and Magodo Gas Plant explosions which recorded a loss of lives and destruction of properties due to their locations within residential areas;

“Aware that there are over 400 (Four Hundred) Filling Stations located within and around residential buildings in Nigeria and pollution from Petrol stations could contaminate buildings as far as 100 meters and a minimum safety distance of 50 meters is required but regrettably, this has constantly been abused and the situation calls for urgent attention;

“Concerned that the indiscriminate violation of Power Lines Right of Way portends great danger as the mandatory safety distance of 11 meters for 12-33KVA lines (5.5 Meters on both sides) while 30 meters should be observed on 132KVA line (i.e.15 meters on both sides) is not being observed for 330KVA line (i.e. 25 meters on both sides) has not been obeyed and the situation remains hazardous;

“Also aware that Communications cable lines and accessories have an approved safety area of 5 meters from structures, trading, hawking and other human activities but it is unfortunate that such space has been under great abuse and there is an urgent need to look at the environmental impact assessments carried out while the cables were being laid, in line with the approved international safety standards;

“Aware that the rail transportation constitutes a huge and important investment in the transportation sector, it is on record that the Railway Right of Way has been under gross abuse and encroachment and Railway safety zones have been converted to trading spots and structures illegally erected within the railway line safety zone against the 30–50 meters’ safety distance to the rail track;

“Cognizant that all Rights of Way were lawfully created for ease of operations and smooth running of various sectors and businesses and as such, any encroachment in those areas of safety is hazardous and portends great danger to lives and properties”.

The motion was unanimously voted on, adopted and referred to the existing Ad-Hoc Committee already investigating the issue and expected to report back within 6 weeks for further Legislative actions.