The Federal Government is taking tougher action against oil vandals sabotaging national infrastructure, according to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, organized by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) to assess operations on the Trans Niger Pipeline.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Energy, Security and Finance, Mr. Amakiri Harry-Young, Ribadu revealed that over 100 suspects have been prosecuted, with 15 recently sent to the Port Harcourt prison.
He said: “The President is serious about the 2.5 million barrels, and we are doing everything necessary to reach that goal.”Ribadu added that a special committee has been working non-stop to investigate and prosecute oil thieves.
This move follows earlier concerns over the repeated release of arrested vandals, which, according to stakeholders, has worsened insecurity in host communities.Dr. Akpos Mezeh, PINL’s Community Relations Consultant, highlighted that collaboration with communities and security agencies had resulted in near-zero infractions on the Trans Niger Pipeline.
He noted that this success had led to increased oil production and restored investor confidence.”By investing in community needs, resolving disputes, and restoring the environment, we’ve reduced crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism,” Mezeh stated.
The President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, commended the efforts but criticized the 3% host community allocation in the Petroleum Industry Act, calling it “an insult.”
He urged for better agreements and full respect for community rights.His Royal Majesty King (Dr.) WSJ Igbugburu X, the Ibenanawei of Bomo Kingdom, praised PINL’s consistent stakeholder engagement, describing the company as a model for others in pipeline surveillance.
He said: “No other pipeline surveillance firm operating in the region has shown such commitment.”The stakeholders reiterated their commitment to improving oil production and securing national assets through collaborative efforts.
