Minister vows to fish out vandals behind attack on gas pipeline

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, on Saturday visited the Tebedaba-Brass trunkline in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State following an attack by unknown vandals.

The Tebedaba-Brass trunkline, now owned by Oando (formerly O and O) after its acquisition from the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), supplies crude oil to the Brass terminal.

Lokpobiri, who arrived in Brass in the company of heads of security agencies, including the Brigade Commander and some civilian security contractors such as Chief David Lyon, owner of Darlon Oil and Gas Limited, and Gabriel Jonah, owner of Tenebo Security Services Ltd, vowed to ensure that those behind the attack are brought to justice.

After touring the damaged section of the 18-inch pipeline, Lokpobiri described the attack as unfortunate, stating that no responsible government would allow such acts to go unchallenged.

“This is a very important economic asset of the Federation, and the government will do everything possible to ensure it is protected,” he said.
“We will go after anybody linked to this crime, wherever they are hiding. We are all Ijaw people, and we know how to find ourselves. We will find them.

He stressed that security agencies, in collaboration with stakeholders and surveillance contractors, are ready to track down those responsible for the criminal act.

“This is a major trunkline, and every day it remains shut results in huge revenue losses—not just to the Federal Government, but also to the company and host communities.”

Lokpobiri also reminded the public that under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), host communities have a 3% stake in oil operations, hence they must help protect national assets.

“They suffer losses too when such assets are sabotaged,” he noted.
The Minister commended the operators of the facility, Oando, for their swift response and the immediate commencement of repairs on the damaged pipeline section.

The Minister also called on the communities to be vigilant and reported any suspicious movement to the security agencies.