•Dickson
•Lawmaker condemns attack
Another oil pipeline in the Niger Delta came under attack yesterday but this time in Bayelsa State.
Rocked by explosion was a Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) pipeline spanning Orukari, Golubokiri and Kpongbokiri communities in Brass local government area.
Sources blamed the attack on militants.
Similar attacks were carried out recently in Delta State hours after a Federal High Court in Lagos issued a warrant of arrest against former warlord Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo in connection with a case of money laundering.
Tompolo has denied having anything to do with the explosions.
The latest sabotage has resulted in a massive spillage of crude oil on the waterways and at fishing camps.
Member of the State House of Assembly representing Brass Constituency 1, Isreal Sunny-Igoli, confirmed the explosion.
Igoli said in a statement in Yenagoa that ýpreliminary investigations into the incident showed that it was an act of sabotage carried out with intent to hurt the economic interests of Bayelsa and Nigeria.
He said the latest explosion coming so soon after similar bombing of pipelines in the same axis was worrisome and capable of forcing oil companies out of operation, thereby adversely affecting the nation’s economy.
Sunny- Goli asked security agencies to beef up security around oil facilities with a view to preventing future attacks.
Condemning the attack ”in its entirety”, Igoli said it was aimed at crippling the economy “at a time the nation is struggling with decline in revenue due to the fall in oil prices.”
He added:”It is common knowledge that because of the low price of oil which is our main source of revenue, many states can hardly pay workers salaries. This sabotage is capable of crippling the economy if not urgently curbed.
“If these attacks are not checked and the perpetrators brought to book and Agip decides to pull out of Bayelsa state it would be disastrous for us as a people.
“Bayelsa state is an oil producing state and our revenue from the federal government is based on our quota of production but this would be reduced if Agip decides to pull out because incessant attacks on its facilities are not stopped.
“I want to urge security agencies to probe the attack on Agip pipeline and ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and brought to book. Bayelsans especially those that have oil facilities around them should also be vigilant and report any suspicious movement to security agencies to prevent further attacks.