Environmental and Human Rights Volunteers (EHRV) on Tuesday called on the people in oil bearing communities to see oil facilities in their territory as their own and protect them from vandals.

EHRV said it is disturbed by the rising cases of pipeline vandalisation in the Niger Delta and its negative impact on the environment,

The appeal is sequel to Thursday’s reported attack on a Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) pipeline at Korokrosei in Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa by suspected vandals.

The group, an advocate of resource and environment protection, through its Chairman, Chief Safety Numonde, in a statement in Yenagoa urged the communities to join the security agencies in the war against pipeline vandalism.

It describing the environment as the very essence of man’s existence.

“Many don’t know that apart from the explosions and pipeline fires that destroy lives and property there are more damaging consequences of pipeline vandalism which is capable of wiping out entire communities through the harm it does to the environment.

“Aquatic lives are being destroyed as well as impacting negatively on agricultural activities and reducing the quality of life of the people living around such places,” Thrgroup said.

EHRV called on the people to be vigilant and report all suspicious movements around oil and gas facilities in their domain to the relevant authorities for prompt action,

The group noted with sadness that the recent upsurge in the destruction of oil facilities in the region is not only affecting the revenue profile of the councils and the state but also making it difficult for the various tiers of government to meet the developmental needs of the citizenry.

It therefore called on the community leaders to prevail on their youths to shun acts capable of tarnishing the image of their community and exposing them to dangers associated with oil pollution.

“No one is exempted from the negative effects of the activities of the perpetrators of the heinous act of pipeline vandalisation.

“It is the collective responsibility of all to be vigilant and see the pipelines as their own and protect them as failure to do so means they are all going to suffer the adverse effects,” the group said.

They urged the various security agencies to investigate the recurring cases of vandalism.

The group also called on the oil multinationals to replace aged pipelines as done in the advanced countries in the interest of the environment, the host communities and the industry.

•Vandalised pipeline.

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