The Niger Delta Development Advocate and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Ayirimi Emami, has condemned the reported destruction of several pipelines belonging to Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) along the Olero-Dibi-Abiteye Fields and Flow Stations in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The damaged pipelines transport various petroleum products, including natural gas and crude oil.
The Niger Delta Liberation Movement (NDLM) claimed responsibility last Friday for damaging the pipelines, which measure 6 inches, 8 inches, and 10 inches in diameter.
In a syndicated press statement, the group stated that the operation was carried out at about 2:00 a.m. on Friday, November 22, describing the damage as the launch of “Operation CHEVRON DRAGNET.”
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Reacting to the incident in a statement he personally signed and issued to newsmen, Chief Emami described the actions of the NDLM as unfortunate and unwarranted. He asserted that there was no justifiable reason to damage the pipelines, emphasizing that the Itsekiri people have civil means of addressing their grievances with Chevron Nigeria Limited and other international oil and gas companies operating in Itsekiri land.
While urging security agencies to identify and apprehend those responsible for the pipeline sabotage, Chief Emami stressed the importance of preventing a recurrence of such attacks.
According to the Itsekiri leader, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “is doing everything possible to increase the country’s daily crude oil production, and every critical stakeholder in the Niger Delta, as well as other parts of the country, should support the President’s resolve.”
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