FG, Niger Delta stakeholders take step to stem pipeline vandalism

In a bid to halt the incessant attacks on oil installations, the Federal Government and stakeholders from the Niger-Delta region have resolved to work together to stop the upsurge in attacks on critical oil and gas installations and ensure security, stability and economic development of the area.

Consequently, the duo resolves amongst other things that the host communities take charge of securing the assets.

Ibe Kachikwu, minister of state for petroleum resources and group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), speaking after a meeting on Thursday in Abuja, expressed the Federal Government’s readiness to check the resurgence of pipeline sabotage in the region, a statement from Garba Deen Mohammed, group general managed public affairs, NNPC, stated.

According to Kachikwu, the stakeholders resolved that solutions to the incessant attacks on oil and gas pipelines are within the communities, stressing that communities were now saddled with the responsibility of ensuring protection of pipelines within their domain.

He said all the states in the region would nominate four or five representatives that would work hand-in-hand with security agencies to secure oil facilities in their respective states.

The minister further stated that it was resolved that violence was not an option in resolving the problems of the Niger Delta and that all threats from the region should end henceforth.

On the amnesty programme, he said stakeholders stressed the need to restructure the programme so as to address the critical issue of neglect by the government and international oil companies.

“The Niger Delta governors must be involved in providing lasting solutions to the resurgence of pipeline vandalism and there is urgent need to create business opportunities for the locals in the region,” Kachikwu stated.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and other leaders of the Niger-Delta region who spoke at the meeting urged the agitators to drop their arms and embrace dialogue as the Federal Government was committed to the development of the area.

All the stakeholders who spoke at the meeting reassured that they would take the message of peace back home in order to provide a win-win situation for the federal government and the Niger Delta region.