The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and its midstream subsidiary, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, have called on all Nigerians living in communities close to pipelines to protect them from the activities of vandals.

The Corporation made the plea last week at the flag-off of a two-day Anti-Pipeline Vandalism Campaign in Idimu, Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State, organised to sensitise residents on the need to join in the war against pipeline vandalism.

Speaking at the event, the NNPC spokesman, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, represented by the Manager, Public Affairs Department, PPMC, Mr. Nasir Imodagbe, called on residents to be vigilant and report all suspicious movements around the pipeline to the Corporation or security agencies.

Highlights of the event included a road show through the communities adjoining the pipeline right of way in the area up to the Ejigbo Depot and the major pipeline vandalism flashpoints of Ijeododo and Arepo.

Alegbe noted that, “What many people don’t know is that besides explosions and pipeline fires that destroy lives and property in these communities. There are more pernicious effects of pipeline vandalism such as its potential to wipe out entire communities through the harm it does to the environment as a result of the constant spillage of products.

Speaking further on the harmful effects of pipeline vandalism on local communities, he said the oil spilled into the environment “destroys aquatic life, pollutes the ground water and renders water from boreholes unsafe for consumption.”