Okrika – The management of Port Harcourt Refining and Petrochemicals Company has urged its host communities to assist in checking pipeline vandalism.

The managing Director of the company, Mr. Tony Ogbuigwe, made the plea at Okrika, in the Okrika local government area of Rivers on Thursday at a one-day campaign against pipeline vandalism.

The campaign had: “the effects of pipeline vandalism on our national economy, health and environment.”

Ogbuigwe who was represented by Mr. Ralph Ugwu, manager, Public Affairs Department at the refinery, said that pipeline vandalism was dangerous to the individual and to the nation.

“Pipeline vandalism can lead to oil spill, which can also lead to the degradation of the environment. It can also pose health harzards and if there is fire, it can lead to death,” he said.

He said: “This campaign is to expose to the people of Okrika, the dangers inherent in pipeline vandalism. The campaign is targeted towards discouraging and exposing the evils of pipeline vandalism.

“It is an enlightenment campaign targeted towards enlightening the community on the evils of pipeline vandalism.

“The message is one. We want to thank them for being a hospitable host over the years that we have been in operation here. We have remained in peace and harmony with them.

“We have received their total support and we want to urge them to continue to give us that support so that together, we will operate the refinery for the benefit of our people here and the benefit of the nation at large.”

The managing director appealed to the community leaders to prevail on its people, especially the youth, to say “no” to pipeline vandalism.

In his speech, the Secretary of Okrika Local Government Council, Mr. Alfred Orupabo, said that pipeline vandalism was an evil because it was dangerous to the individual, to the environment, to health and to the nation.

He said that the council would continue to advise youths in the area to resist the temptation of vandalising pipelines.
(NAN)