Stakeholders in the Niger Delta have called for the replacement of ageing oil and gas pipelines and stronger environmental protection measures to address risks posed by deteriorating oil infrastructure in the region.
Gatekeepers News reports that the stakeholders made the call during an engagement forum organised by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on October 9 and 10.
The meetings brought together community leaders, traditional rulers, youth representatives and industry officials to discuss pipeline security, crude oil production, environmental protection and the role of host communities in safeguarding oil and gas infrastructure.
The monarch of Ekpetiama Kingdom in Bayelsa State, Bubaraye Agada IV, said efforts to curb pipeline vandalism must be accompanied by measures to address environmental threats from ageing pipelines, abandoned wellheads and gas flaring.
He noted that while increased oil production could boost government revenue, oil spills could expose host communities to prolonged environmental damage and loss of livelihoods.
Agada urged residents to discourage pipeline vandalism and other activities capable of causing spills. He also called on oil companies and relevant authorities to take responsibility for preventing incidents associated with deteriorating infrastructure.
The traditional ruler urged PINL to draw the attention of government authorities and oil industry operators to the dangers posed by ageing pipelines, abandoned wellheads and gas flaring.
He stressed that pipeline protection should go beyond preventing sabotage to include addressing infrastructure-related risks that threaten the environment, public safety and the livelihoods of residents.
Similarly, President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Doubra Okotete, called for the replacement of oil and gas pipelines that have been in operation for several decades.
“Our appeal today is for the federal government, the NNPCL and the president of our great country to ensure that oil and gas pipelines that have lasted for over 60 years are replaced,” he said.
Okotete commended pipeline surveillance contractors, claiming that there had been no reported fatalities since the current contractor assumed responsibility for the assignment.
He said the development represented a departure from previous experiences characterised by frequent fatalities.
Meanwhile, PINL’s General Manager for Community and Stakeholder Relations, Akpos Mezeh, said the company had recorded two consecutive months without pipeline vandalism in its operational areas across the Niger Delta.
He attributed the development to cooperation among host communities, security agencies, surveillance personnel and industry operators.
Mezeh urged stakeholders to sustain the collaboration to protect critical national infrastructure, maintain peace and promote development in the region.
“Sustainable production and development depend on peaceful communities and trust among industry operators, government and host communities,” he said.
He added that communities along the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) and Eastern Gas Network (EGN) would play important roles in Nigeria’s efforts to achieve its oil and gas production targets for 2027 and 2030.
According to Mezeh, PINL’s surveillance operations have provided employment for more than 35,000 youths, while its scholarship programme has awarded over ₦2 billion to more than 1,500 undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Also speaking, Omojevwhe Akponime, Head of Field Operations for the Eastern Corridor at the NNPC Project Monitoring Office, said pipelines within PINL’s operational coverage were performing well, citing assessments conducted by the national oil company.
“There is no question for PINL. They said so because they are doing well,” he said.
The Eze Eberi-Ugo IX of Omuma Kingdom, Onyekachi Amaonwu, emphasised the importance of host communities in achieving Nigeria’s oil production targets, noting that the infrastructure was located in their territories.
“For you to achieve these targets, there is no pipeline in Abuja; the pipelines are located right here in our communities,” he said.
Similarly, the Eze Ekpeye-Logbo, Kelvin Anugwo, said communities across Ekpeye land in Rivers State had resumed farming and fishing activities following a reduction in crude oil theft along the pipeline corridor.
“Before PINL came on board, we were unable to fish in our rivers because spilled crude oil had ruined the environment,” he said.
Legborsi Yamaabana, spokesperson for the Niger Delta Ethnic Youth Leaders Forum, also called for the continuation of the pipeline surveillance contract to protect oil and gas infrastructure.
The stakeholders maintained that sustained collaboration among government agencies, oil companies, surveillance contractors and host communities was essential to improving pipeline security and supporting increased production.
They, however, stressed that stronger surveillance must be complemented by the replacement of ageing infrastructure and effective environmental safeguards to protect communities from oil spills and other hazards.
