1,161 pipeline points across the country vandalized between Jan 2019 and Sept 2020
By Audrey Lotechukwu
MON 05 JULY, 2021-theGBJournal- The Minister of Information and Culture ALHAJI LAI MOHAMMED provided insights on the impact of pipelines vandalism on the country’s economy when he spoke today at the ongoing Town Hall meeting focusing on protecting oil and gas infrastructure in Abuja.
The Minister revealed that an average of 200,000 barrels per day were lost to the wanton damage to pipelines and as much as 1,161 pipeline points across the country vandalized between Jan 2019 and Sept 2020.
According to the Minister, a huge amount of N60 billion yearly is what it costs the government to repair and maintain the vandalized points.
‘’Apart from the impact on the nation’s earnings, consider also the environmental problems caused by the incessant vandalism, in terms of freshwater pollution, air pollution, soil pollution, etc., and you will appreciate the enormity of the problem,’’ the Minister said while addressing invitees to the town hall meeting.
He also elaborated on objectives of the town hall meeting-To create in the public mind that government property are indeed citizens’ property and so must be protected for the benefit of all, sensitize communities, especially those where infrastructure are located, to be conscious of the import of such and protect them, expose, arrest and prosecute all those who engage in buying pilfered infrastructure items along with those who bring such to them to sell and sensitize the larger citizenry to support the widespread campaign on the protection and ownership of public infrastructure/assets, especially in the Railways, Roads and Aviation sectors.
‘’The destruction of public infrastructure by some unpatriotic Nigerians calls for great concern and immediate action, hence our decision to organize this town hall meeting series,’’ Lai Mohammed said.
Twitter-@theGBJournal|Facebook-The Government and Business Journal|email: govandbusinessj@gmail.com
