Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency has raised the alarm over rising spate of oil spills caused by sabotage, oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
To this end, the Director-General of NOSDRA, Dr Idris Musa, has charged oil operators to tighten security on their assets to avert damage to the environment and loss of oil and gas revenue.
Musa in a statement explained that three incidents investigated within the past few days were traced to sabotage.
He added that the ongoing gas leak from a gas line operated by Nigerian Agip Oil Company in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State was due to the activities of vandals.
The statement reads in part, “The Agency received a report of a Joint Investigation Visit on 6” Nembe/Obama Pipeline at Sabatoru, Nembe L.G.A. Bayelsa State.
“The incident occurred proximal to an artisanal refining site which operators are suspected to have vandalised the pipeline to steal crude oil.
“Similarly, there was another vandalised pipeline on the 20” Kolo Creek-Rumuekpe pipeline at Otuasega also in Bayelsa State. There was no oil spill in that instance.
“A gas pipeline was also vandalised on the 24” Ogboinbiri/OB-OB gas delivery line at Okaka behind Bayelsa Palm Estate in Yenagoa.
“This vandalism has a backlash on the main gas delivery pipeline fromthe OB-OB gas plant of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company.
“We implore the oil companies operating in the area to place more surveillance on their assets to avoid wanton destruction of economic assets as well as the environment.”
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