Host communities in Bayelsa State want oil firms and regulators to deal with the environmental dangers of old pipelines, abandoned wellheads and gas flaring. They say these hazards put local livelihoods and the environment at risk.
Community leaders raised the concern in Yenagoa at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL). The event brought together industry players and traditional rulers to discuss pipeline security, environmental safety and the region’s development.
Monarch Wants Protection to Go Beyond Anti-Vandalism
The King of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo Agada IV, said stopping vandalism is not enough on its own. In his view, pipeline protection must also cover the risks that come with the oil and gas facilities themselves.
He acknowledged that higher crude output could bring Nigeria more revenue. However, he warned that spills leave host communities with damaged land and water, and that people may lose their means of earning a living for years.
The monarch asked residents to discourage vandalism and any act that could cause spills in their creeks. At the same time, he said oil companies and the authorities must take responsibility for spills caused by ageing infrastructure.
He also urged PINL to carry the communities’ worries to the relevant agencies and operators. Old pipelines, abandoned wellheads and gas flaring, he said, should be tackled before accidents happen.
PINL Reports Two Months Without Vandalism
PINL’s General Manager for Community and Government Relations, Dr Akpos Mezeh, said the company has gone two months without vandalism or other reported breaches in its operational areas. He credited cooperation between host communities, surveillance workers, security agencies and industry operators.
He asked communities to keep up that support. Peace, quick sharing of information and mutual trust, he said, are essential for stable operations.
Mezeh added that the oil and gas sector is seeing renewed growth. Protecting critical assets, he noted, helps keep production steady and draws investment.
Jobs, Scholarships and Community Programmes
The PINL official also outlined what the company says it has delivered to host communities:
- Surveillance work has given jobs to more than 35,000 youths.
- Its scholarship scheme has awarded over ₦2 billion to more than 1,500 undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- It works with 215 host communities.
- It has empowered over 2,000 women along the Trans Niger Pipeline corridor.
- It runs yearly Christmas support programmes in the communities where it operates.
Scrutiny Welcome, but Verify Claims
On questions about the company’s conduct, Mezeh said PINL accepts fair scrutiny and accountability. He cautioned, though, against spreading unverified allegations. Community leaders, he said, should raise grievances through proper channels and base public debate on confirmed facts.
He also called for early reporting of suspicious activity, stronger environmental responsibility, and wider involvement of women and youths. These steps, he said, would help prevent vandalism, crude oil theft and production disruptions.
Both speakers agreed on one point. Host communities, government, oil companies and security agencies must work together to protect pipelines, limit environmental damage and support sustainable development in the Niger Delta.
