Palpable fear gripped the residents of
coastal communities of Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State
following explosion that rocked oil pipelines belonging to the Nigerian
Agip Oil Company.
The explosion, which was said to have
been triggered by dynamite attacks allegedly launched by suspected
militants affected pipelines located in Orukari, Golubokiri and
Kpongbokiri communities of Brass.
The development, it was learnt had led to many residents of the riverside communities scampering for safety.
It was learnt that the attacks were
launched on Thursday night and had led to massive spillage of crude from
the Agip pipeline into the sea and fishing camps.
Confirming the incident, member
representing Brass Constituency 1 in the Bayelsa State House of
Assembly, Mr. Israel Sunny-Goli, condemned the attack on Agip pipelines.
Sunny-Goli, in a statement on Saturday,
said, “Preliminary investigations indicate that the bombing of the
pipeline was an act of sabotage carried out to hurt the economic
interests of Bayelsa state and Nigeria.
“The latest explosion coming after
bombing of pipelines recently in the same area is worrisome as it is
capable of forcing oil companies out of operation which would have
adverse effect on Nigeria’s economy.”
Sunny-Goli called on security agencies
to beef up security around oil facilities to ensure they prevent future
attack by economic saboteurs bent on crippling Nigeria’s economy.
The lawmaker added, “I want to condemn
the latest attack on Agip pipeline at Kpongbokiri. This is a clear
sabotage by economic saboteurs. Recently, they blasted pipeline at
Orukari and Golubokiri.
” I condemn this latest attack on Agip
pipeline at Kpongbokiri in its entirety. It is sabotage against Nigeria
in a bid to cripple the economy at a time the nation is struggling with
decline in revenue due to the fall in oil prices.
“It is common knowledge that because of
the low price of oil which is our main source of revenue, many states
can hardly pay workers’ salaries. This sabotage is capable of crippling
the economy if not urgently curbed. If these attacks are not checked and
the perpetrators brought to book and Agip decides to pull out of
Bayelsa, it would be disastrous for us as a people.”
He urged Bayelsans, especially those
that have oil facilities around them to be be vigilant and report any
suspicious movement to security agencies to prevent further attacks.
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