Oghenruona Tejiri, Warri
Oil production in Nigeria has been hampered mostly by acts of vandalism and sabotage which has put security agencies on their toes to sustain allocated OPEC production quota.
Apart from lost of funds, Critical National Assets has been destroyed by the economic saboteurs and serious damage done to the environment and aquatic life almost going into extinction.
Speaking to National Reformeronline, Amb.Edewor Egedegbe, Executive Director, Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative(VR&EI) said that the activities of the vandals have negatively impacted the environment as well as costing government so much money to provide security for the facilities.
He said that Nigeria has not done so well in combating insecurity owing to several factors militating against her productivity as a nation.
According to Amb. Egedegbe, “there hasn’t been a significant reduction in billions of dollars lost annually due to pipeline vandalism. This clearly, is as a result of the unpatriotic nature of many nigerians, particularly the elites, greedy politicians and private business owners that take undue advantage of the porous process of Nigeria system vulnerability to manipulation.
“Government Security Agencies are usually faced with logistics issues, limited resources, inadequate funding, shortage of manpower and lack of modern equipment that hinders effective patrol and monitoring. Corruption is another major issue that creates collision between security personnel and vandals that undermine all efforts geared towards reducing oil theft.
” Poor intelligence gathering is also critical. There is gross inadequate information sharing and intelligence networks as well as poor relationships with local communities which goes a long way to hinder cooperation and performance.
Amb. Egedegbe who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), RobbyDee Global Security Ltd.added that private security that government has drafted to support government security agencies faces some challenges in the process of carrying out their duties.
He said that the major challenge of the private security outfits is restricted powers to make arrests or prosecute vandals which according to him is a major hindrance.
Amb. Egedegbe added, “while resource constraints in terms of limited funding, personnel and equipment, dependence on government agencies requiring government support for effective operation are other issues that the private security companies has to grapple with. There is also the challenge of effective collaboration with government security agencies.”
Amb. Egedegbe said that difficult terrains where pipelines transverse is also a challenge adding that most of the area are difficult to access.
He spoke further, “technological limitations, inadequate surveillance and monitoring systems, insider threats where moles within security agencies or companies compromise efforts t provide adequate coverage. Community complicity where local residents support or tolerate vandalism and economic motivations where high profits from stolen oil and products gives room to coordinated vandalism. Organized crime is also a common feature for both were sophisticated networks and syndicates are involved in vandalism”.
Speaking on possible solutions in addressing the identified challenges affecting security in the oil and gas sector of our economy, Amb. Egedegbe suggested improved
inter-agency collaboration and information sharing, enhanced community engagement and outreach programmes and procurement of advanced surveillance technologies.
He prefers others solutions to include strengthening legislation and penalties for arrested vandals, regular specialized training for security personnel, encouragement of public-private partnerships, implementation of effective pipeline monitoring systems and addressing socio-economic factors such as poverty, deprivation job creation among other that makes vandalism a less lucrative venture.
Amb. Egedegbe posited, “when the above challenges are addressed and effective implementation strategies are adopted, security agencies can better combat pipeline vandalism and protect critical national infrastructures. This will in turn reduce crime, criminality, eliminate wastage and oil production will be on the increase for the overall betterment of citizens and nation.”
