By John Ikani
A report has revealed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) recorded 151 pipeline vandalism occurrences in the first three months of 2021.
The development according to Vanguard, represents a 26.5 percent increase over the 111 pipeline points recorded in the same time of 2020.
During the three-month period under consideration, the month of March 2021 had the largest number of reports of vandalism, with 70 pipeline points.
A breakdown of the incidents shows the Mosimi tops the list of areas most affected by pipeline vandals in the first quarter of 2021, with 45 percent. Port Harcourt and Kaduna followed with 40.3 percent, and 15 percent respectively.
Lamenting the damage, the NNPC in its May 2021 Monthly Financial and Operation Report (MFOR), noted that products theft and vandalism have continued to destroy value, leaving NNPC in a disadvantaged competitive position.
What you should know:
Conversations on how to put an end to the destruction of pipelines have been a serious issue for the federal government over the years.
In 2020 alone, sabotage attacks on pipelines cost the nation about N33.5 billion, with NNPC calling for communities to do more.
According to NNPC, in two years, the repair of pipelines and other facilities cost N15 billion; while security and maintenance, N8.9 billion; and pipeline management cost N5.1 billion.
