The observed surge in pipeline bombing in the oil rich region of Niger Delta, at a time credible dialogue is ongoing with the federal government has became a source of worry for the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu.
Accordingly, he has expressed deep sense of concern and disappointment about the recent pipeline attacks by militants in the Niger Delta region.
A statement released weekend by Idang Alibi, Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Petroleum Resources in Abuja urged attackers to calm down and give peace a change.
Business Hilights recalls that Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), penultimate Tuesday night, attacked the Forcados Export Pipeline in Delta State, the third onslaught on the facility by militants since Niger Delta leaders met with President Muhammadu Buhari on November 1, in Abuja.
The latest attack came less than 24 hours after four community surveillance guards escaped death at Batan community near Warri when suspected militants opened fire on them during a failed attempt to blow up the pipeline under repairs.
Additional findings show that the federal government and the oil and gas-producing companies operating in the country may have lost about $3billion to the bombing of Forcados pipeline.
The pipeline conveys Forcados grade of crude oil to the 400,000 barrels per day Forcados Export Termina
Kachikwu said it was unfortunate that three attacks had taken place over the last two weeks even whilst efforts were ongoing to prepare the grounds for dialogue.
He further noted that it was unfair that this was happening with all the intensive and collective efforts to engage all stakeholders and the success of the meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Minister condemns these wanton attacks and reiterates that the path to providing lasting solutions for the Niger Delta challenges remains dialogue.
The Minister appealed to all leaders and stakeholders in and outside the region to join hands with the government to find a lasting solution to this problem.
