MEND claims responsibility for explosions at Warri Refinery

 The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) Tuesday claimed responsibility for the explosion that rocked the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) in Delta State.
MEND in a statement signed by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, said the attack on the oil facility was an indication that ‘Hurricane Exodus’ was on course.


The statement read: “MEND takes responsibility for the sabotage this morning, Tuesday, October 22, 2013, inside the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Refinery in Warri, Delta State of Nigeria. ‘Hurricane Exodus’ was intended to burn down the entire refining facility.
“As long as President Goodluck Jonathan continues to rely on an unsustainable and fraudulent Niger Delta amnesty programme, peace and security will continue to elude his government in the region. ‘Hurricane Exodus’ is on course!”
However, the management of NNPC, which confirmed that there was a minor fire incident in the Topping Unit of the WRPC, said the cause of the fire was being investigated.
It added that the fire was promptly brought under control through the combined efforts of the fire department and other staff members of the refinery.
In a statement signed by its acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the corporation, Ms. Tumini Green, the corporation explained that the fire, which started around 11a.m, was successfully extinguished without any fatality.
Green noted that the unit involved was promptly isolated and shut down for safety, adding that the refinery management was probing the cause of the fire.
She said appropriate steps would be taken to forestall future occurrence.
The NNPC spokesperson said preparations were underway for re-streaming of the affected unit.
“We wish to seize this opportunity to reassure members of the general public that the NNPC continues to hold sufficient stock of premium motor spirit (petrol) and other petroleum products and therefore there is no cause for panic buying,” Green stated.

- The Citizen

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