Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency has said that Azuzuama-Tebidaba flow line at Ikebiri in Southern Ijaw LGA operated by Nigerian Agip Oil Company was traced to third party interference.
NOSDRA said also investigation into Tuomo-Ogboinbiri pipeline at Ayamasa in Ekeremor LGA in Bayelsa showed the leaks were caused by vandalism.
Director-General of NOSDRA, Dr Idris Musa, said that the agency concluded Joint Investigation Visits to the sites within the last one week, said that the incidents are suspected to be the handiwork of oil thieves.
Musa said that an estimated volume of eight barrels of crude was discharged into the environment.
“Unknown person(s) installed a flanged at 12 O’clock position on the pipeline.
“Area of impact was outside the company right of way and inside right of way, vegetation was impacted, and repair was effected.”
The second incident, according to Musa occurred on NAOC’s 6-inch Tuomo-Ogboinbiri pipeline at Ayamasa in Ekeremor LGA.
“At three different points, hacksaw cuts were observed at different positions on the pipeline, also wraps of different materials were used around the different cuts caused by unknown person(s).
“The second point was about 35 meters apart from the first point, while the third point was across a major River,” Musa said.
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