Those That Vandalized Tebidaba Brass Pipeline Will Be Fished Out: Lokpobiri

 

The Minister of states for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has assured that the all that took part in the vandalization of the  Lagos - Ghene, 18 inches Tebidaba Brass Pipeline will be fished out and brought to book.

Recall that  Bayelsa State Government through the commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, had issues a press statement condemning the  vandalism of the Ogboinbiri/Obiobi 24-inch gas pipeline located between Angiama and Angiamagbene in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area describing the act as a serious case of economic sabotage that will not be tolerated but the Minister who was on a working visit to the Tebidaba  Brass Pipeline on Saturday to see things for himself said that he received the news early in the morning and decided to come down.

Lokpobiri called on the relevant stakeholders including  the host communities to be on the look out and guide the national assets in their domain marinating that if they didn't do that, their 3% host communities development funds will be lost.

He disclosed that the oil facilities in the Niger Delta are all national assets stating that the federal Government will do everything humanly possible to protect them.

Lokpobiri said:"Few days ago my attention was drawn to this ,we just heard something happened this morning and so as minister of petroleum, it is incumbent for me to come and see things for myself.

"I  have come today assisted by the  security heads in region and I  have seen what happened here and this is very unfortunate, this cannot be allowed by any responsible government.

"This  is an important economic asset for the federation and so the government will do everything humanly possible to ensure it protects its assets and we will go after anybody that is linked to this crime wherever they are and wherever they are hiding.

"This is the one that supplies crude to the Brass Terminal. It is very important and now it is shut down.
We are all ijaw people  and we know how to  find  ourselves and we will find  them wherever they are. Security agencies will find them in collaboration with other stakeholders , surveillance  security contractors.We will find out who so ever  is responsible and we will investigate them and we will go after them.

"This is a major trunk line and anytime you shut it down for a day, the result is  a huge revenue loss not just to the federation but  to the company and even to the communities.

"Recall that Following the PIA, the communities  also have 3% stake
so communities must also be told that they will loose income. This has caused so much damage to the land , and under no circumstances will this be acceptable by this governmen.

"I  have come and seen, we will go back and  continue to ensure we work together  with everybody's support to protect this national strategic asset for the benefit of everyone of us.

"Things are now different. During  the time of  IOCs,  we have to take permission from them  and OANDO  having acquired this asset from NAOC, we took decisions in country very fastly so I want to commend them and other companies  that acquired this assets  but what is more important is that the security agencies will do what ever is legally necessary to bring anybody involved to book.

"That is why the Brigade Commander is here and other security chiefs and that is to tell you the seriousness of the federal government about this matter and we will do everything possible to bring anybody that is the involved to book. Nobody is bigger than the government anywhere in the world. We will go after anybody that is involved.

He advised the youths of the region to be vigilant adding that "all of us are stakeholders.Report any  purported movement that will result to things like this.

"There is no way people around here will not get some hint, there is no way somebody around  here will not see a boat crossing, they will know. If your brother goes out in the night to commit a crime, you will know.This is everybody’s job .You also need income and your community needs income and then the environment where you fish and farm is polluted.

" It is not beneficial to anybody at all.
Federal Government is losing income ,the environment where you fish is suffering so  it is not beneficial to anybody at all and don't  say because you are not part of Tantita Security, you won't be vigilant. There is nowhere in the world where everybody is employed. That can't  be justification for the crime." He said.