The Bayelsa State Government has condemned what it described as “criminal damage” of the Ogboinbiri/Obiobi 24-inch Gas Pipeline between Angiama and Angiamagbene in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
A statement on Friday by the state Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, said, “This act of economic sabotage will not be tolerated.”
The statement did not specify the owner of the facility and efforts to get response from community sources failed due to poor network signal in Yenagoa.
But, it was gathered that the facility which is also referred to as the Ogboinbiri/OB-OB gas pipeline was formerly operated by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company.
Koku-Obiyai said the state government was working closely with security agencies to arrest the vandals, urging citizens that the protection of national assets was a collective responsibility.
According to her, any damage to national assets would result in revenue loss and called on the people to report suspicious persons to the law enforcement agencies.
The statement stated: “Government is working closely with security agencies to apprehend those responsible and prevent future occurrences.
“The public should note that the protection of national assets is a collective responsibility, and we urge all citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities around public assets to the law enforcement agencies.
“The damage to public assets not only results in revenue loss to federal, state, and local governments but also poses grave environmental dangers. Exposure to natural gas and petrochemicals can constitute significant health challenges to citizens.
“We urge the youth in the state to resist the temptation to engage in destructive activities and instead work with the administration to sustain peace and protect public infrastructure. Together, we can achieve the prosperity agenda of the government and develop infrastructure to attract investment.
“Let us work together to ensure the safety and security of our public assets and prevent future occurrences of economic sabotage.”