Oil industry stakeholders, including pipeline host communities have expressed satisfaction with pipeline surveillance strategy adopted to secure the nation’s hydrocarbon resources from crude oil thieves, illegal bunkerers and pipeline vandals.
They said that crude oil theft has reduced by over 90percent, saying that this was evident in the reduced availability of illegally refined product and significant improvement in the terminal recovery factor.
Speaking with newsmen during a tour of some pipeline host communities in Rivers and Abia states, the stakeholders said that some of the gains include restoration restoration of peace and improvement in infrastructure projects in host communities, improvement in environmental and health conditions of the people, increase in crude oil production capacity, among others.
Chairman, Okohia Community Development Committee (CDC), in Owaza, Abia State, Sunny Otuke said that the quick response of personnel of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited to the attack on the 12-inch Transfer Niger Pipeline (TNP) running through the area last Wednesday, saved the communities from devastation arising from a major oil spill.
Otuke said that the attack, carried out at about 5:30 am after the surveillance guards had closed from the night shift, would have massively polluted the environment, and praised the technical team from PINL for the quick response to the attack.
The CDC chairman stated; “The response was swift. Even the workers at the camp didn’t have breakfast, they just rushed down to effect the repairs”.
He explained that the oil thieves resorted to breaking pipes out of frustration because the surveillance guards now prevent them from stealing oil from the pipe.
Otuke applauded the policy of pipeline surveillance and the contactors handling the security surveillance, stressing that they have helped to extensively reduce oil theft and illegal refining that were threatening the peace and well-being of the entire community.
At Norkpo community, Tai Local Government Area in Ogoniland, hosting the 24-inch Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) and 28-inch Bonny loop line, villagers said that the pipeline surveillance has not only helped to end illegal bunkering but also fostered peace among the people.
Speaking to journalists on the performance of the surveillance contractor handling the Ogoni axis, Paramount Ruler of Norkpo, Chief Augustine Aminikpo, said that since Pipeline Infrastructure came into the community a year ago, they have made peace to reign in Ogoni axis.
He stated; “In fact, before they came in, you cannot wash and keep outside because of bunkering activities that were going on in this our Ogoni axis. The reason we cannot wash and keep outside was because of soot generated from the activities of illegal refinery operators. But now, the bunkering activities have reduced and the soot that was staining our clothes when we spread them outside has ceased, now you can wash and keep outside, 24-hours.
“In fact, SPDC could not pump crude before but due to efforts of PINL, they are pumping 24 hours now. They can pump one week, they can pump two weeks, they can pump one month.
“They have made peace to reign in Ogoni axis, they engage and empower the youths, chiefs and His Royal Majesty. They even engage the people that the pipeline did not pass through their lands, like people of Okrika, Ogu, Wakama”.
He explained that part of the strategy adopted by the company was massive employment of community youths as part of the pipeline surveillance guards.
He added; “In some communities, they engage 20, some 30, some 40. There are three local government areas in Ogoni that the contractor covers. In each of these local governments, they employ more than 200.
“For now, those boys that were involved in bunkering activities have forgotten about bunkering and joined in securing the pipelines”.
Youth Leader of Norkpo community, Osaro Barisua, corroborated Aminikpo’s views, saying; “Before now, there had been series of sabotage on this pipeline, and we discovered that those responsible for it were the jobless youths. But when this new contractor came in and engaged the youths, things have changed.”
Also speaking, Chief Superintendent (CP) Audu Boniface, Head of the Civil Defense Special Forces from National Headquarters, Abuja, attached to the Zone 3, Owaza Camp, said they were on 24/7 surveillance of pipelines and well heads across Owaza in Abia and Rivers states as part of their statutory functions.
He explained, “We have precisely 130 well heads in Owaza and Odogwa. They are up to 80 functioning actively both in Owaza and Odogwa all feeding the Trans Niger Pipeline. We have spent about four months here and so far, so good. We have made so many arrests and so many prosecutions of the illegal bunkerers/oil thieves.
“I’m very happy that we have made serious achievements here because our presence here scares them away. Immediately the thieves sight us, they run, immediately you go they return. So, we keep on chasing them in order not to continue tampering with the well heads and pipelines.
“Right from Ibaa at Ndele camp, Kpo and Owaza, and Odogwa, the arrests have been more than 50 that we have made. Some have been prosecuted and some released on bail”.
However, the Operational Director of Pipeline Infrastructure explained that Owaza and Norkpo are just a small portion of the Port Harcourt section of Eastern corridor of the security surveillance covered by Pipeline Infrastructure (PINL).
He said that due to the PINL strategic deployment and operations in the Eastern corridor, the company has made 100percent recovery of the 8-inch Nkali flow-station in Imo River II manifold pipeline from historical illegal connection/leak points and clamped points.
He stated; “All infringements/clamps were removed and point saddles welded. The pipeline is currently transferring and receiving crude oil feedstocks from the Nkali flow station to Imo River manifold to Ogale manifolds.
“We made 100percent recovery of the Isinmiri delivery line and 95percent recovery along the dual trunklines on the Imo River II to Ogale Manifold pipeline, both pipelines are operational with 95percent receipt at Ogale manifold since commencement of PINL operation till date.
“Prior to PINL engagement, the delivery lines were abandoned due to multiple infringements and incessant leaks.
“PINL strategic deployment and covert operations are gradually turning the Zone 3 axis of the Trans Niger Pipeline to historical hotspot, and has ensured continuous crude oil flow through the Imo River to Ogale pipelines, among many other major achievements”, he added.