Congress (OPC), has committed the organization towards partnering with relevant governmental organization in protecting the nation’s vast network of oil pipelines.
Dr. Fasehun, expressed worry over the high spate of attacks and vandalisation of the oil pipelines across the country stated that the OPC has the capacity to provide security for the oil facilities.
“The problem persists because agencies saddled with the responsibility of monitoring and securing the pipelines, have compromised. That is why experts and observers alike strongly recommend that the government must think outside the box for the ultimate solution,’’ Fasehun stated.
Fasehun who spoke during a courtesy visit to Kingsley Kuku, special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Committee, said his organization has the discipline to muster resources to keep the oil facilities secured using the experience garnered in bringing peace to the South West flash points.
“We promise to dispense that same level of dedication, discipline and efficiency that today guarantees safety and security for lives and properties in our home zone. We promise zero-tolerance for pipeline vandals and pipeline vandalism,” said Fasehun.
Outlining the OPC strategies to curb the ugly trend in the South West geo-political zone, Fasehun said: “We have outlined strategies and equipment required for securing the entire pipeline network in the South-West. And by the grace of God and Federal Government, pipeline vandalism within the (South West) zone will be completely wiped out in the next 12 months.”
The OPC leader said the organization will put together a 30, 000-man strong team within a short time when the given the green light on the project.
“We will be pulling well over 30,000 foot soldiers into this assignment. That means a minimum of 30,000 jobs for a minimum Nigerians. We shall be working in synergy with the NNPC, the PPMC, the Police, the Navy, the SSS and allied security agencies to ensure that we wipe out the problem of pipeline vandalism once and for all,” Fasehun stated.
Dan Alabra, Special Assistant on Media and Communications at the Amnesty office told Nigerian CommunicationsWeek that the OPC leaders’ ideas on security for the oil pipelines gives sufficient hope for the economic development of the zone and the nation at large.
He noted that Kuku will be presenting the OPC agenda before the President.
In recent times, oil thieves have invaded several oil facilities in the South West zone leading to loss of lives and causing damages amounting to billions of US dollars.
