By George Onah

Port Harcourt- Shell Petroleum Development Company has raised alarm over the spate of vandalisation of its pipelines in the Niger Delta region, to the effect that 22 spills as a result of pipeline vandalisation was recorded between January and February this year.

SPDC said it has over 6,000 kilometers of pipelines across the country and does not possess the capability to protect the pipes, calling on the country’s security agencies to intensify efforts in halting the destruction.
Representative of Encroachment Operations Afahron Sekobi told newsmen in Port Harcourt, yesterday, that there was “great danger to the lives and property of the people in tampering with the pipelines.”

The company acknowledged that the socio-political situation such as volatile political environment, as well as petty and organised criminality, were responsible for the problems.

Sekobi said it was as a result of the level of destruction of its pipelines and encroachment on the right of way of the pipeline that it approached the Rivers State government for aid, through the community leaders, security and youth outfits.