The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly, NASS, to create an anti-vandalisation unit in any of the security agencies with a view to finding a lasting solution to constant pipeline explosion in Lagos State.
MURIC Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola made the call in Lagos on Tuesday.
“The incident of a pipeline explosion in Lagos state has become perennial, Lagos residents are dying daily in their hundreds from constant pipeline explosion.
“Property worth billions of naira are lost to deafening explosion and uncontrollable conflagration.
“The long history of a pipeline explosion and its regimented repetition make it mandatory on both FG and the NASS to find an urgent solution to it,” he said.
He said the re-occurring explosion could drive away foreign investors who were already established in Lagos state as well as discourage prospective foreign investors.
“The list of explosion and its frequency in Lagos state is frightening.
“More than 300 people were killed in Abule Egba when a pipeline exploded during vandalisation on Dec. 26, 2006.
“Nobody wants to sink money in an endangered zone,” he said.
He, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government to take drastic actions against pipeline vandals, such as the creation of an anti-vandalisation unit in any of the security agencies similar to the anti-terrorists unit.
“We urged Lagos state residents to give timely information on oil pipeline vandals to security operatives for prompt action.
“Every citizen must be a self-appointed policeman because security is every man’s business.
“We warn oil pipeline vandals against the excessive drive for materialism. Greed leads to self-destruction. The Glorious Qur’an urges men to stop running after money and property.
“Finally, we appeal to government for a special relief package for the victims of Abule Ado disaster,” he said.
NAN
