Oil Theft: AKSG charges communities to rise up to the challenges

Akwa Ibom State Government has charged oil bearing communities to rise up to the challenges of pipeline vandalism to guard against oil spills and other environmental degradation.

Governor Godswill Akpabio stated this during a one-day stakeholders’ sensitization forum on anti-vandalism jointly organized by the State Government and the State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at the Civil Service Auditorium, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat Complex, Uyo, on Wednesday.

Represented by his deputy, Lady Valerie Ebe, Chief Akpabio, said oil communities should ensure a healthy collaboration with NSCDC and other relevant security agencies, noting that oil theft, which has posed grave threats to our nation, and the onslaught of pipeline vandalism has complicated the flow of petroleum products in the country which in turn has resulted in the destruction of lives and property and our ecosystem.

The Governor lauded the bold attempt of the NSCDC to give justice and peace to the society and described the theme, Oil Theft, Vandalism, Internal Insurgency: A Bane on National Development/Protection of Critical Asset and Infrastructure, as apt saying “the Commandant-General of the Corps, Dr. Ade Abolurin, deserves our praise for taking the corps to new height of achievements and acclaim.”

He said the sparks from oil pipeline vandalism has caused explosions that have led to the death of hundreds of looters, bystanders and destroyed entire communities and urged communities to protect and work with security agencies against vandals, miscreants and hoodlums, whose interest was to enrich their pocket.

Also speaking, the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East, Senator Ita Enang, said the present approach by the federal and state governments in dealing with vandal and oil theft may not yield useful results unless the so-called vandals are recognized and allowed to operate as stakeholders in the industry.

The Senator explained that those engaged in oil theft were very prominent Nigerians saying: “The best the NSCDC could do is catch the people carrying petroleum products about in jerry-cans or bucket. The real oil thieves are rich people who can buy ships, other vessels and equipment required for the operations.”

He said implementation of the Amnesty Programme, employing locals to serve as security in the oil bearing communities would help deal with oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

In his remark, the State Comandant of NSCDC, Mr. Pedro Ideba, said inspite of efforts made by individuals and institutions, to stimulate the people’s consciousness, a great deal needed to be done to curb the ugly challenges of oil theft, vandalism and insurgency which loom large over what was obviously a sensitive segment of our population.

Mr. Ideba listed the achievement of his Command in the area of pipeline vandalism to include the arrest of 183 suspects and 23 tankers, 12 light vehicles, 12 out-board engine boats, 10 pumping machines, five motor-bikes, two tricycles and four filling stations sealed up for alleged involvement in bunkering, vandalism and other criminal activities in the state.