Akwa
Ibom State Government has charged oil bearing communities to rise up to the
challenges of pipeline vandalism to guard against oil spills and other
environmental degradation.
Governor Godswill
Akpabio stated this during a one-day stakeholders’ sensitization forum on
anti-vandalism jointly organized by the State Government and the State Command
of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at the Civil Service
Auditorium, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat Complex, Uyo, on Wednesday.
Represented by his
deputy, Lady Valerie Ebe, Chief Akpabio, said oil communities should ensure a
healthy collaboration with NSCDC and other relevant security agencies, noting
that oil theft, which has posed grave threats to our nation, and the onslaught
of pipeline vandalism has complicated the flow of petroleum products in the
country which in turn has resulted in the destruction of lives and property and
our ecosystem.
The Governor lauded the
bold attempt of the NSCDC to give justice and peace to the society and
described the theme, Oil Theft, Vandalism, Internal Insurgency: A Bane on
National Development/Protection of Critical Asset and Infrastructure,
as apt saying “the Commandant-General of the Corps, Dr. Ade Abolurin, deserves
our praise for taking the corps to new height of achievements and acclaim.”
He said the sparks from
oil pipeline vandalism has caused explosions that have led to the death of hundreds
of looters, bystanders and destroyed entire communities and urged communities
to protect and work with security agencies against vandals, miscreants and
hoodlums, whose interest was to enrich their pocket.
Also speaking, the
Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East, Senator Ita Enang, said the present
approach by the federal and state governments in dealing with vandal and oil
theft may not yield useful results unless the so-called vandals are recognized
and allowed to operate as stakeholders in the industry.
The Senator explained
that those engaged in oil theft were very prominent Nigerians saying: “The best
the NSCDC could do is catch the people carrying petroleum products about in
jerry-cans or bucket. The real oil thieves are rich people who can buy ships,
other vessels and equipment required for the operations.”
He said implementation
of the Amnesty Programme, employing locals to serve as security in the oil
bearing communities would help deal with oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
In his remark, the
State Comandant of NSCDC, Mr. Pedro Ideba, said inspite of efforts made by
individuals and institutions, to stimulate the people’s consciousness, a great
deal needed to be done to curb the ugly challenges of oil theft, vandalism and
insurgency which loom large over what was obviously a sensitive segment of our
population.
Mr. Ideba listed the
achievement of his Command in the area of pipeline vandalism to include the
arrest of 183 suspects and 23 tankers, 12 light vehicles, 12 out-board engine
boats, 10 pumping machines, five motor-bikes, two tricycles and four filling
stations sealed up for alleged involvement in bunkering, vandalism and other
criminal activities in the state.
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