Oil Communities Urge Action On Ageing Pipelines, Environmental Risks

Oil-producing communities in Bayelsa State have called on oil companies and relevant authorities to address the environmental risks posed by ageing pipelines, abandoned wellheads and continued gas flaring, warning that these hazards could threaten livelihoods and damage the environment.

The call was made at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) in Yenagoa, where industry representatives and community leaders discussed pipeline protection, environmental safety and development in the Niger Delta.

The King of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo Agada IV, said efforts to prevent pipeline vandalism must go hand in hand with measures to address risks associated with oil and gas infrastructure.

Dakolo noted that increased oil production could generate more revenue for Nigeria, but warned that oil spills could leave host communities struggling with environmental damage and loss of livelihoods for years.

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He urged residents to discourage pipeline vandalism and other activities that could cause spills in their creeks and communities. However, he stressed that oil companies and relevant authorities must also take responsibility for preventing spills linked to ageing infrastructure.

The monarch called on PINL to draw the attention of relevant authorities and oil industry operators to the dangers posed by old pipelines, abandoned wellheads and gas flaring, urging them to take preventive action before incidents occur.

He said pipeline protection should not be limited to stopping sabotage but should also cover infrastructure-related risks that could harm the environment and the people living in host communities.

The General Manager, Community and Government Relations of PINL, Dr Akpos Mezeh, said the company had recorded two months without pipeline vandalism or other reported infractions in its areas of operation. He attributed the development to cooperation among host communities, surveillance personnel, security agencies and industry operators.

Mezeh urged communities to sustain their support for pipeline protection, saying peaceful communities, timely sharing of information and trust among stakeholders were necessary for stable oil and gas operations.

He said Nigeria’s oil and gas industry was experiencing renewed growth, adding that protecting critical infrastructure was important to sustaining production and attracting investment.

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The PINL official said the company’s surveillance operations had provided employment for more than 35,000 youths, while its scholarship programme had awarded over ₦2 billion to more than 1,500 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

He added that the company maintained relationships with 215 host communities, empowered more than 2,000 women along the Trans Niger Pipeline corridor and sustained annual Christmas assistance programmes for communities within its areas of operation.

Mezeh also stressed the need for environmental responsibility, greater participation of women and youths, and early reporting of suspicious activities to prevent vandalism, crude oil theft and production disruptions.

On concerns about the company’s operations, he said PINL welcomed legitimate scrutiny and accountability but warned against spreading unverified allegations. He urged community leaders and other stakeholders to raise concerns through appropriate channels and ensure that public discussions were based on verified information.

Both speakers called for stronger cooperation among host communities, government, oil companies and security agencies to protect pipelines, prevent environmental damage and promote sustainable development in the Niger Delta.