A non-profit organization under the auspices of Network for Good Governance (NGG) has called on traditional rulers all over the country to advise their subjects to desist from acts capable of jeopardising the free flow of petroleum products via the pipeline networks throughout Nigeria.
Speaking to airport correspondents on Friday in Lagos, the Coordinator of the group, Mazi. Tony Udenta, advised traditional rulers to ensure that government’s installations in their communities are properly protected and should not to hesitate in identifying individuals in their domain who perpetrated pipeline vandalism for appropriate sanctions, as such acts are sabotage to the national economy.
“A role of traditional rulers in ensuring that sensitive government’s installations in their respective communities are protected cannot be over emphasised. They know that if the integrity of the installations such as pipelines is guided jealously, it will create employment and boost the economy of their area. Doing so would make petroleum products available everywhere in the country,” he said.
Udenta further stated that as the season sets in, some youths could easily be lured into such nefarious acts in their bid to get rich over night but insisted that government should take drastic steps to punish offenders to serve as a deterrent to others.
“Now that the management of Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) said the company is committed to the rehabilitation of the pipeline network and depots across the country, all hands must be on deck to support this initiative. Our people should behave responsibly. We have no other country, other than Nigeria. Therefore, we must protect her jealously, “ he said.
He therefore called on community leaders in host communities with oil and gas pipelines to ensure adequate protection of such facilities from vandals.
Speaking on the heels of a pipeline vandal suspect arrested by the Police in Lagos, who claimed that his gang always bribe community leaders whenever they wanted to break any pipeline, Udenta appealed to community leaders to lead by example and be wary of people whose activities are capable of causing problems for the Nigerian economy.
“You must have read in the newspapers recently of one suspect arrested in Lagos over their nefarious acts in Takwa Bay area of Lagos Island, confessing that they would always bribe the community leaders and most times, it is the leaders that even inform them when the coast is clear so they can perpetrate the act. This is shameful and must be condemned by all well meaning Nigerians,” he said.
