The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has blamed the massive drop in power generation and collapse of the national grid on the frequent vandalism of gas pipelines for the oil leak in Bayelsa state.
NOSDRA director-general, Mr. Idris Musa, who confirmed that the incident was on the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC)’s facility, further confirmed that the leak was from a 12-inch Benisede-Brass Creek Delivery Line at Peretuorugbene in Bayelsa.
He stated that the agency concluded its investigation last weekend, expressing regret over the adverse impact of oil theft and pipeline vandalism on the environment and economy of Nigeria.
He said the joint investigation conducted by NOSDRA, the operator, and community leaders discovered that the incident was caused by suspected oil thieves and vandals.
“The investigating team discovered that the thieves installed several ‘tapping points’ on the Benisede-Brass Creek pipeline from where they siphoned crude oil,” he said.
The NOSDRA boss called on industry stakeholders to rise up and come against the menace which, he said, had reached an alarming proportion.
“Despite several appeals to our people to put the interest of our nation’s environment and economy first, some unpatriotic elements continue to inflict untold hardship on our environment and economy.
“They do this by installing several tapping points on crude oil pipelines, particularly the current incident,” the NOSDRA boss said.
He called on the public to join hands with the government to flush out the criminal elements that are bent on enriching themselves through pipeline vandalism and oil theft.
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