The Rivers State Committee on Pipeline Right of Ways has called for the involvement of Local Government Chairmen and Community leaders in the fight against illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalisation.

Chairman of the Committee, Mr Charles George who made the call during stakeholders meetings in some local government areas in the state urged communities to join the government in the campaign against pipeline vandalisation.

Mr George said that one of the ways of doing this was for the community leaders to advise their wards against involvement in acts destructive to the environment, contending that government cannot do it alone.

He also stressed the need for youths in the various communities across the state to embrace the various skills acquisition programmes set up by the government to improve themselves.

Meanwhile, communities in the state have accused oil companies of negligence, saying that they have failed to take proper care of their pipelines.

Speaking at Gokana, Chief Simeon Monokpo said that oil companies must form the habit of replacing old pipes.

He said that most oil and gas pipes in Gokana needed to be replaced to avoid leakages.

In Okrika, the council chairman, Dr Godknows Tom George lamented that most pipelines criss-crossing the area were exposed, noting that this has given rise to indiscriminate interference by vandals.

He promised to ensure that encroachment on pipeline right of way in the area was checked and urged the affected companies to bury their pipes to avoid the danger of oil and gas leakage.

Stakeholders in the other  LGAs including  Etche, Oyigbo and Akukutoru also deplored the attitude of multinational companies towards ensuring that their pipes were kept in good condition.