The West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAGPCO) is feverishly working on a section of its pipeline which was damaged by a vessel last year to transport gas from Nigeria to Ghana at the end of April 2013.

In August 2012, a vessel dragged its anchor over the gas pipeline in the waters near Lome in Togo causing extensive damage.

According to the General Manager Corporate Affairs, Harriet Wereko-Brobby, WAGPCO has been able to cut the damaged section of the pipeline, replaced it with a new one and tested the joints to prevent leakage.

She made these known during an interaction with the media at Aboadze near Takoradi, saying the company was working around the clock to transport gas. She added that the next stage was to clean the over 500 kilometer pipeline from Nigeria to Ghana of water and any debris after which hot air would be blown through it before allowing gas to flow through it.

Mrs. Wereko-Brobby said the company has been engaging with naval personnel from Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana, who have been patrolling their respective territorial waters to ensure the safety of the pipeline.

“We have also been discussing pertinent issues on our operations with the environmental and maritime authorities, fishing communities and all our stakeholders so that such a disaster does not recur because it is a big cost to the company,” she added.