Oredola Adeola
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), has cautioned oil and gas host communities that any disruption to pipeline operations could threaten the 3 percent revenue share guaranteed to them under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
He has therefore urged them to remain vigilant and work with security agencies to protect vital oil infrastructure.
Lokpobiri issued the warning on Saturday during an inspection of the Tebedaba-Brass trunkline in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, following an attack by unidentified vandals.
The Tebedaba-Brass trunkline, formerly owned by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and now operated by Oando, is a major crude oil supply route to the Brass terminal.
He emphasized that the operating company bears the brunt, and so does the host community.
According to him, any attack on our oil facilities is utterly condemnable and must be met with decisive action.
He said, “Our security agencies are fully mobilized and poised to track down and bring to justice all those behind these acts of sabotage.
“While inspecting the 18-inch Tepidaba Brass-Oando pipeline at Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, I stated that this sabotage goes beyond economic implications – it is an assault on the peace and stability we have collectively nurtured in the region.
“This pipeline is a major trunk line, critical to our national oil supply. Every day it remains shut, as it is now for maintenance, the country suffers immense revenue loss,” the Minister stated.
Senator Lokpobiri emphasized that remaining vigilant and cooperating with security agencies is not merely a responsibility but a shared interest in safeguarding both the community’s welfare and its economic benefits.
