The Senator representing Rivers South-east Senatorial district, Mpigi Barinada has attributed the pipeline explosion in Komkom town in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State to obsolete and over-ageing pipelines.

Speaking in a motion during Senate plenary on Wednesday entitled: “Pipeline explosion in Komkom town of Oyigbo local government Area of Rivers State”, the lawmaker pointed out that no pipeline should last more than 33 years.

According to him, the pipelines in Rivers which traverse states of the country have lasted more than 50 years, a situation he said had caused the explosion with heavy casualties in his senatorial district.

“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, the pipeline explosion that happened is in my Senatorial district.

“The ‘System E’ pipeline that transmits oil from Rivers to Abia through Makurdi in Benue State is one of the major pipelines.

“Experts have told us that no pipeline should last more 33 years, but those pipelines have been in place for over 50 years without replacement,” he said.

The lawmaker expressed regret over those who lost their lives as a result of the explosion, stating that they could not live to witness what he intends to do for them, disclosing that some of them were in Abuja during the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly. (Agency report)