Environment
Stakeholders Task FG On Pipeline Vandalism
Stakeholders in the oil and
gas sector have urged the Federal Government to introduce community policing of petroleum pipelines to check incessant vandalism of the pipelines.
The stakeholders, in separate interviews with newsmen in Lagos, said that government had not solicited the support of host communities in the surveillance of oil pipelines.
Chairman, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Lagos Chapter, Mr Folorunsho Oginni, said that involvement of communities in the surveillance of pipelines would check vandalism.
Oginni urged the FG to involve community leaders and local vigilance groups in policing the lines to reduce frequent vandalism.
“There is need for government to inaugurate community policing on pipeline surveillance to curb incessant vandalism.
“Host community leaders, local vigilance groups should also be involved to effectively monitor the pipelines to reduce frequent vandalism,’’ Oginni advised.
An Energy Consultant in Primtex Energy Solution, Mr Clement Charles, said that there was the need for government to ensure that vandals of pipelines were brought to book.
According to him, Nigeria can no longer fold its hands and watch a few individuals destroy the natural resource because they want to enrich themselves.
“Government has told us severally that over N200 billion had been lost to pipeline vandalism in the last 10 years, which has gross effect on our economy,’’ he said.
The energy consultant said that the level of pipeline vandalism and theft of oil products was impacting negatively on the socio-economic growth of the country.
“Frequent pipeline vandalism has affected the free flow of petroleum products across the country,’’ he said.
Charles said that the security challenges in the Niger Delta region had also contributed significantly to the instability in the petroleum sector.
A security expert, Mr Henry Peters, suggested the installation of “electric citadel fence” along the pipelines.
Peters, the Chairman, Glumbond International Ltd, said that it would be impossible for oil vandals to gain access to pipeline sites with the electrical fence in place.
According to him, the device easily analyses threats because “it is a see-through machine with an aperture that can deflect bullets fired into it|”.
He also advised government to stop neglecting host oil communities in the efforts to stop oil theft menace.
Chairman of South-West Chapter of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mr Olumide Ogunmade, urged government to introduce stiffer penalties for pipeline vandalism.
Ogunmade advised government to put in place measures that would address issues of pipeline vandalism holistically
He appealed to host communities to ensure that pipelines were adequately protected from vandals.
“Host communities should be more security-conscious to drive the local economy, he said, adding that the security threat in the country had become worrisome.
The Tide reports that the Federal Government, on September 18, approved about N15 billion for measures to curb oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
The Lagos State Government has commenced installation of new pumps at the Iju Headworks and Akute water intake stations.
The Tide source reports that the project is aimed at increasing water production, improving operational efficiency and expanding access to potable water across the state.
A statement issued by the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) over the weekend said the project was approved and funded by the state government.
It said the installation was part of the rehabilitation of the Iju Headworks and Akute Intake Station under Lots 1, 2 and 3.
According to LWC, the rehabilitation is designed to modernise water production facilities, strengthen operations and improve public water supply.
The Network of Female Professionals in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Nigeria (FEMinWASH) and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) are set to partner on gender-responsive systems strengthening, capacity development and WASH initiatives.
The partnership was proposed during a courtesy visit by a FEMinWASH delegation, led by its President and Convener, Dr Boluwaji Onabolu, to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, in Abuja.
Onabolu, who conveyed greetings from FEMinWASH Patron, retired Engineer Ebele Okeke, commended Walson-Jack for upholding the Federal Civil Service’s EPIC values of Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-centred leadership.
She praised the HoCSF’s efforts in advancing gender inclusion in WASH and the civil service, including the development of the National Gender in Water Resources Mainstreaming Policy and mentoring programmes for women leaders.
Onabolu also highlighted the INSPIRE (Inclusive Network for Supporting Progressive Leadership, Innovation, Reform and Equity for Women) programme, aimed at strengthening women’s leadership and inclusion.
She said FEMinWASH was seeking a formal partnership and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the OHCSF to support INSPIRE, WASH advocacy, capacity building and the institutionalisation of Gender-Responsive Budgeting across the Federal Civil Service.
Responding, Walson-Jack commended the diverse expertise of the FEMinWASH delegation, noting that professionals in WASH, water resources, environment, public health, town planning and education were critical to addressing development challenges.
She welcomed the proposed partnership, assuring that the OHCSF was ready to collaborate with FEMinWASH on civil service strengthening and WASH-related initiatives.
The meeting agreed to further engagements with Dr Garba, Permanent Secretary (Special Duties), and Ms Funke Baruwa, Lead for Partnerships at the OHCSF, to advance the collaboration.
The visit ended with a photo session and exchange of gifts between both parties.
The Special Adviser on Environment, Mr Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, commended the community on the massive turn-out for sanitation.
He also appreciated the chairman and his team for their support to the ministry.
Rotimi-Akodu urged the community to continue to support the council and by extension, the government, by participating in the exercise and engaging in proper disposal of wastes.
“We have heard your appeal, and I assure you that Lagos government will do something about it.
“Although we have PSP operators in this axis, maybe they were assigned to other areas.
“However, I will ensure something is done and residents will observe the improvement.” the advisor said.
Also, the Managing Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LASMA), Mr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said that waste management was a collective exercise.
Gbadegbesin, therefore, appealed to the residents to always dispose of their wastes properly.
“You must bag your waste at home. Make sure you have a bin to keep the waste for few days, even if there is a delay by the PSP operator.
“Make sure you pay your PSP operator on time because there is no way they can provide that service if you are not paying them regularly.
The Non Governmental Organization (NGO) Go Green Nigeria Foundation, , has called for more stringent government efforts toward prohibition of illegal sand mining in Rivers, following erosion threats.
The founder of NGO Dr John Babington made the call on last Monday in Umuechem, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers, to commemorate the International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems.
Babington, who sensitised the community on dangers associated with crude sand mining, donated some trees as part of efforts to promote tree planting and revitalisation of the altered mangrove ecosystem.
During an interactive session with the community, the environmental expert identified various concerns and commended residents for their willingness to work together to end the excavation.
He, however, dismissed the notion that illegal sand mining was due to poverty and unemployment, saying, ”the business is a capital intensive venture that could only be operated by a rich cartel.”
He said that though the business might have provided menial jobs for few youths, it had not in any manner addressed poverty.
Presently, the landscape is altered with an artificial river encroaching a major access road and threatening public safety,” he said.
Also speaking, a senior Chief in the community, Chief Gilbert Otamiri commended the NGO for the initiative and promised to collaborate with them.
Gilbert, however, urged the government to tackle unemployment which, he said, was a major promoter of the illegal excavation
Also speaking, The Community Development Chairman (CDC) Mr Agbam Mgbechi thanked the group for the sensitisation and donation of trees.
He called on the government and concerned induviduals to emulate the group by making efforts towards salvaging the area from further environmental damage.
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