The NNPC says a fire outbreak at its Suleja depot in Niger will not affect steady supply of petroleum products in and around the Federal Capital Territory.
The corporation said this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr Ndu Ughamadu.
The statement stated that supply of petroleum products to Niger, Nassarawa states and other parts of the country would not be affected by the incident which affected a truck at the Suleja depot at about 4 a.m. on Sunday.
Quoting the Managing Director of the Nigeria Pipeline and Storage Company, NPSC, Mr Luke Anele, Ughamadu said a team of NNPC and Niger State Fire Service officials rapidly put out the fire.
”Anele affirmed that no depot equipment was damaged during the inferno.
”The truck was burnt at the sump pit of the Suleja Depot while evacuating mixed products meant to be decanted to the slop tank.
”He assured that the fire did not affect the loading section of the depot, hence, normal loading, bridging and dispatch of products have continued.
”Facilities in the depots are in good shape,” he said.
Ughamadu further said the NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru, had been fully briefed on the incident.
”We urge motorists and other consumers not to engage in panic buying,” Ughamadu reiterated.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fire reportedly started around 4:30 a.m. according to Mr Mohammad Kwali, officer in charge of fire services. (NAN)