Pipeline vandalism: Stakeholders urge monitoring of monitors for tighter pipeline security

In a bid to ensure tighter security of crude oil and gas assets and infrastructure across the Niger Delta, stakeholders have called on the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to monitor those in charge of monitoring oil and gas assets.

Oyeinfie Jonjon, technical adviser to Bayelsa State Governor on Ijaw Affairs, made the call on Friday during the June Stakeholders’ Meeting of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) in Yenagoa.

Jonjon said sometimes, those monitors do not get the right information across to their superiors, thereby resulting in lapses that often culminate in the destruction of oil and gas assets by vandals.

The security expert questioned the large presence of oil tankers at Ahoada in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, alluding that it is an indication of illegal oil bunkering and refining activities in the area.

Jonjon hailed the success of PINL so far, describing it as a collective success that involved all stakeholders, pointing out that the pinnacle of success was achieved because the pipeline surveillance firm brought all stakeholders together.

“The success of PINL is a collective one. PINL brought stakeholders together, hence the success being recorded is a collective one.

“Thank God the Office of the National Security Adviser is represented here. There is a need to monitor those monitoring the oil and gas assets to get the right information.

“For instance, after the bridge at Ahoada, you see many tankers parked. What are they doing there? It is an indication that illegal oil activities are going on there,” he said.

It would be recalled that Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory, had demolished all the structures in the area Jonjon referred to for alleged illegal oil bunkering activities while he was governor of Rivers State.

Also speaking, Sunny Jacob, Paramount Ruler of Joinkarama IV community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, said PINL has changed the narrative of his people.

Jacob, therefore, called for more support for the pipeline surveillance firm to enable it to do more for the people.

Earlier, Akpos Mezeh, General Manager, Community and Stakeholders Relations of

PINL disclosed that a section of the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP) at Zone 8 in Abua/Odua Local Government Area of Rivers State was attacked on June 15 by some armed individuals.

Mezeh, who was represented by Andrew Ebikeme, Head, Community Relations of PINL, therefore urged “our contractors to increase the presence of our surveillance guards at all times on the PROW to deter the return of vandals.”

He further disclosed that “The damaged area reported in Umorie was discovered to be caused by a hacksaw. The spot has been repaired by the PINL maintenance team.”

Giving an update on crude oil production for May, he quoted data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) that oil production increased by 2.2 per cent from 1.6 million barrels per day in April to 1.7 million barrels per day in May.“More significantly, crude oil production averaged 1.53 million barrels per day, surpassing Nigeria’s OPEC production quota of 1.5 million barrels per day for the first time in 2026,” he stated.

He put the success down to the “direct outcomes of improved pipeline security, enhanced stakeholder engagement, stronger community participation, and the collective determination of government, security agencies, host communities, and industry operators to reject crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal refining activities.”