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Business News of Tuesday, 21 January 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Pipeline vandalism: NNPC boss blames Nigerians for conspiring with vandals

NNPC GMD, Mele Kyari NNPC GMD, Mele Kyari

Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mele Kyari has blamed Nigerians for conspiring with oil vandals in allowing the business of oil vandalism thrive.

He made this statement as a guest on the Good Morning Nigeria programme, live on NTA News this morning.

Describing the history of vandalism, he said, "activities of pipeline vandalism began as acts of sabotage. Now they have graduated into full-blown business. This is most unfortunate."

"These acts of vandalism happen to our products pipelines across the country, which is why many of the pipelines are shut down today."



Kyari who expressed worry over the spate of vandalism unchecked in several parts of the country blamed Nigerians for protecting oil vandals. Describing the situation as a conspiracy of silence, he said the responsibility of Nigerians is to protect the pipeline against oil saboteurs.

"What we saw in Lagos a few days ago on our System 2B (Atlas Cove all the way to Mosimi) Pipeline was an indication that these unpatriotic acts happen in the midst of communities. Almost everybody around that community is aware of what is happening!"

"These insertions into the p/lines can never be done in isolation. There's a huge conspiracy of silence around this tragic situation. I mean conspiracy of silence from those who have the responsibility to protect the pipeline & those who watch this happen," he said.

Reacting to the inferno that occurred at Abule Egba due to a pipeline explosion, the NNPC boss suspected that individuals resident in the area were deeply involved in the unfortunate incident.

"I was shocked that very close to the site of the unfortunate pipeline explosion in Abule Egba area, there's a big church and a big mosque there. It means that worshippers in those 2 holy places are well aware of what is happening. This is most tragic," Kyari stated.

As part of the efforts to curb a reoccurrence the NNPC boss said they chose to collaborate with security agencies to neutralize the vandals that attempt to destroy oil pipelines. Notable amongst the collaboration was the support from the Chief of Defense.

Kyari's words: "We are collaborating with security agencies to curtail the situation. Of recent, the vandals have become so sophisticated as they fight back, until the recent intervention from the Chief of Defence Staff & his team we are very grateful to him for that."