![Gas pipeline](https://sweetcrudereports.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Gas-pipeline-1-300x163.jpg)
*As vandals hit Lagos-Escravos pipeline
Oscarline Onwuemenyi
17 March 2015, Sweetcrude, Abuja – The Federal Government has said it is intensifying efforts to secure gas pipelines across the Niger Delta region following the fourth attack on the Escravos Lagos Gas Pipeline A (ELPSA) in Delta State.
The destruction has led to the loss of about 200 mmscf/d of gas, equivalent to about 800 MW per day of generated power
Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo said in Abuja that the latest attack on the gas pipeline which came less than 24 hours after the destroyed portions of the lines were repaired was an “obvious act of sabotage.”
Nebo noted that government is intensifying measures to check the frequency and effects of gas pipeline vandalism.
The measures include heightened involvement of security agencies, as well as the deployment of digital surveillance equipment to enhance the capability of security operatives to apprehend vandals.
The Minister said government was also, as a matter of urgency, executing its plan on diversification of energy sources, to check the nation’s over-dependence on gas-fired power plants. This has resulted in the successful delivery of pilot solar-powered projects to some rural communities, as well as licenses of investors for solar and coal projects.
He assured that the Nigerian Gas Company and other sector experts were on instruction to continue to effect prompt repairs on damaged facilities.