SENATOR LOKPOBIRI VISITS VANDALISED TRUNKLINE IN BAYELSA, VOWS TO ARREST SABOTEURS

Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Oil, has strongly condemned the recent attack on the 18-inch Tebidaba-Brass Pipeline in Opuama Clan, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

Speaking with newsmen during an on-site inspection of the vandalized pipeline over the weekend, Senator Lokpobiri vowed that the federal government would do everything possible to apprehend all those involved in the sabotage.

He emphasized the economic and environmental consequences of such acts, noting that the pipeline supplies crude to the Brass Terminal.

The minister called on host communities and relevant stakeholders to remain vigilant and protect oil infrastructure within their domains. He warned that failure to safeguard these assets could affect the 3 percent Host Community Development Fund.

While expressing satisfaction with ongoing maintenance works, Senator Lokpobiri urged community members to report any suspicious activities that could threaten oil facilities, stressing that there was no justification for such attacks.

The minister was accompanied to the site by heads of security agencies in the region, representatives of private pipeline surveillance firms, and other stakeholders in the state.

Reported by Bright Okpo