By Saidu Idris
Normalcy has returned to the scene of Wednesday’s gas pipeline rupture on the Lagos-Shagamu Expressway, as the damaged pipeline has been sealed by Julius Berger.
Early Wednesday, December 16, 2020 there was a case of gas pipeline rupture around Punch area in Magboro on the busy highway under rehabilitation, by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps in a statement, “the pipeline got bursted while men of Julius Berger, the construction company working on Lagos-Shagamu expressway were excavating a surface for worksite.”
The Traffic Coordinator, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Mr. Solace Onu disclosed that the damage to the pipeline could have been avoided had there been a sign warning the constructors of a pipeline underground in the area.
“our workers were working on one of the several diversions we are creating to ease traffic flow on the main project when the bulldozer scraped a gas pipeline. There was no warning or indication that there was a gas pipeline there. Besides, our bulldozer was just doing minor grading of an already existing earth road to make driving on the diversion easier for motorists. We discovered that the pipeline was not deep into the soil.”
When contacted Julius Berger’s Spokesman, Prince Moses Duku said: “We are aware of the accidental rupture of the pipeline at the LSE, and our company has, indeed, moved immediately with swiftness to fix the ruptured pipe. We appeal to motorists to remain calm as Gaslink has been notified of the incident and all efforts are being made in conjunction with other relevant agencies to secure and fix the site today (Wednesday). We therefore advise motorists and pedestrians to kindly steer clear of the site and consider alternate routes which we have put in place. We will provide updates to this information as the repair work progresses.”
However, true to the assurance given to motorists by Julius Berger and the relevant agencies, the damaged pipeline has been restored and normalcy returned to the site, as men of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Federal Fire Service and related agencies swung into action to avert any danger.
Findings on Thursday morning by the media confirmed that normalcy has returned to the site save for the closed sections of the road which are yet to be reopened for what Julius Berger said was a “necessary precautionary measure.”