Bayelsa Communities, Stakeholders Back Federal Government on Oil Theft, Pipeline Vandalism

                  

Not less than 60 communities located along the Trans- Niger Pipeline in Ogbia, Southern Ijaw and Yenagoa LGA’s in Bayelsa have vowed to partner with the federal government to curb oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

They made this known in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa Capital, at an interactive meeting hosted by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd PINL for community leaders, traditional rulers, environmental rights groups and other stakeholders.

Mr. Timi Ogoriba, who represented the communities in Bayelsa axis, praised Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of state for Petroleum Resources, Oil, and the newly constituted NNPCL board for their transformative and visionary reforms aimed at restoring order, efficiency and accountability within Nigeria’s vital oil sector.

According to Mr. Ogoriba, the collaborative and transparent approach by the regulatory authorities has not only rekindled investor confidence but is also proving pivotal in unlocking long dormant opportunities within the energy landscape.

He commended PINL for its exceptional professionalism and community focused approach to pipeline monitoring and assets protection, adding that their proactive engagement with local communities and key stakeholders has contributed to increased crude oil output.

Mr. Timi Ogoriba, a former President, Movement of the Survival of Ijaw Ethnic in the Niger-Delta, MOSIEND, urged the federal government to complement security interventions with comprehensive policies that tackle the socioeconomic and environmental conditions driving pipeline sabotage and illegal bunkering.

Mr. Akpos Mezeh, a representative of PINL, said the interaction with stakeholders was called to assess its performance in its mandate areas.