Improved technology, effective communication advocated to end oil pipeline vandalism in the N/Delta

In a bid to effectively check cases of oil pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta, stakeholders in the oil sector have advocated improvement in the use of technology as well as efficient communication between the Federal Government, Oil Exploration Outfits and oil bearing communities to reduce to the barest minimum incidences of vandalism.

These were the recommendations at the end of a one day sensitization workshop on education, good governance and peaceful coexistence in the Niger Delta organised by Benaiah Care Foundation, a non governmental organization with vested interest in the development and stability of the Niger Delta region held in Warri, Delta state on Wednesday.

Participants were drawn from mostly the youths and womenfolk had reechoed the neglect of the Niger Delta and called for urgent intervention to avert imminent crises in the wake of the 2019 polls.

In a paper presentation titled '' Oil Theft and Pipeline Vandalism'', Oil Pipeline Management Expert , Mr. Ini Isong said '' oil majors must explore the use of modern technology to secure oil pipelines as well as establish right of way(RoW) to enable security personnel easily identify where there are such cases ''.

According to him, the advocacy became necessary to raise the standard of security approaches towards checking vandalism in the Niger Delta region.

He also advocated stronger synergy among the stakeholders stating that oil bearing communities should be engaged in the oil economy through what he described as ''open and frank communication to avert imminent crises".

Mr. I song who is also the Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of Kligz Energy, an oil pipeline survey outfit in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, said local communities have to select credible leaders in representative capacity and must also design a visionary template that will actualize concrete development of their areas.

This, he maintain ''will make the oil bearing communities maintain their commitment to stop oil pipeline vandalism especially among the youth".       

He however condemned the deplorable conditions of the region occasioned by prolonged oil exploration activities stating that the issue of Corporate Social Responsibility has to be reviewed to provide commensurate impact to cushion the effect of the exploration activities.

Also in a paper presentation titled '' Effect of Political Violence in Nigeria '', a University Don, Dr. Celestine Nwanokwai said Nigerian Youth have to move away from the culture of violence mostly associated with politics.

According to him, the recent electoral reforms have considered the place of the youth in political leadership and therefore urged that rather than take to the option of violence, youth must think towards taking the lead in governance.

Earlier , the programme facilitator, Mr. Okon N. Effiom had remarked that the organization was concerned about improving the condition of the Niger Delta people through initiatives that promote education, good governance and peaceful coexistence of the people.