KEY POINTS
- Chevron pipelines in Warri North, Delta State, were vandalised by NDLM.
- The attack was condemned by Chief Emami as grievances should be peacefully resolved.
- Security agencies are urged to speedily move to quell further disturbances.
Niger Delta advocate and APC chieftain, Chief Ayirimi Emami, has condemned the recent vandalisation of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) pipelines in the Niger Delta region, Warri North Local Government Area, Delta State.
The Niger Delta Liberation Movement (NDLM) said on Friday, November 22 that they had smashed pipelines along the Olero Dibi Abiteye Fields and Flow Stations.
A group calling itself the NDLM, or MOVEMENT, took responsibility for the attack, adding it launched “Operation CHEVRON DRAGNET.” The group further said it had damaged pipelines with diameters of 6 inches, 8 inches, and 10 inches, a disruption to the flow of natural gas and crude oil.
Emami berates Chevron pipeline vandalism in Warri North.
Emami reacted to the incident on Monday, November 25 and condemned the act noting that Itsekiris’ grievances with Chevron or any other oil company that is doing business in Itsekiri land must be pursued through civil means.
There is no justifiable reason for such an attack. ‘While we do have problems with oil companies, the Itsekiri people have peaceful ways of resolving issues with oil companies,’ he said.
A call For Security and stakeholder collaboration
Security agencies should endeavor to identify and prosecute offenders, Chief Emami urged. He added it was critical to prevent further attacks on critical oil infrastructure.
“Crude production in Nigeria has risen steadily under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, who is busy doing his bit to increase daily output,” he said.
“It’s a mission that every stakeholder in the Niger Delta should support rather than hinder,” Emami said.
The pipeline damage also reflects ongoing problems in the Niger Delta, a violence wracked region where oil production remains an economic backbone and a source of conflict.
Local communities, oil companies and the government, Emami says must unite to ensure sustainable development of, and security in the region.
