SECRETARY-GENERAL SADDENED BY DEATHS FROM NIGERIA PIPELINE EXPLOSION;

CALLS FOR REVIEW OF COUNTRY’S FUEL SUPPLY MANAGEMENT

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is deeply saddened at the deaths of hundreds of people as a result of the explosion of a fuel pipeline in the Abule Egba district of Lagos, Nigeria.  He extends his deepest condolences to the Government, the bereaved families and to all others affected by this disaster. 

The theft of fuel from Nigerian pipelines has become a frequent occurrence, often with tragic consequences.  The Secretary-General calls for a review of the country’s fuel supply management, as well as a thorough regional review of risks that could lead to other environmental or technological disasters in West Africa.  The United Nations stands ready to assist in this endeavour, and to help in assessing current gaps in risk mapping and disaster response in the region.

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For information media • not an official record