The Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC) has called on Nigerians,
especially those living in communities close to
pipelines, to see them as their own and protect
them.
This is contained in a statement issued on
Tuesday in Abuja by the Group General Manager,
Group Public Affairs Department, Ohi Alegbe.
It said the corporation made the plea at the flag-
off of a two-day Anti-Pipeline Vandalism
Campaign in Idimu, Alimosho Local Government
Area, Lagos State.
It said the campaign was organised to sensitise
the host communities to the need to join in the
war against pipeline vandalism.
It said the campaign included a roadshow,
through the communities adjoining the pipeline
right of way in the area, up to the Ejigbo Depot
and the major pipeline vandalism flashpoints of
Ijeododo and Arepo.
It called on residents to be vigilant and report all
suspicious movements around the pipeline to the
corporation or security agencies.
It explained that the oil that was spilled into the
environment when vandals and oil thieves hacked
into pipelines “destroys aquatic life, pollutes the
ground water and renders water from boreholes
unsafe for consumption''.
It added that it contaminated the soil and made
it unfit to support any meaningful agricultural
activity; and ultimately reduced the quality of life
of the people living around such places.
It said the traditional ruler of Idimuland, Oba
Azeez Olugoke II, called on all residents of the
community to shun criminal activities, especially
oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
The traditional ruler said that as a policy, the
community would not protect anyone caught
perpetrating such acts.
The Oba promised to take the message to the
people and help mobilise the community to help
tackle pipeline vandalism.
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