The Bayelsa Government on Saturday condemned the attack on two crude trunk lines, operated by Aiteo and Agip, by new militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the militant group earlier on Saturday claimed responsibility for vandalism of the pipelines that convey crude to the Bonny and Brass export terminals.
Mr Jonathan Obuebite, Bayelsa Commissioner for Information who confirmed the attack in an electronic mail to NAN, condemned the twin attacks describing them as “one too many.’’
“The blowing up of the trunk line is coming a few days after a similar oil facility operated by Chevron was blown up in Delta.’’
Obuebite lamented the economic impact of destruction of the key oil facility and wondered why the militants would go to that extent, knowing the economic implication to the state and the country.
He observed that in spite concerted efforts of the government to move against such atrocities, the militants were still unrepentant in their acts of vandalism.
Obuebite urged the group to embrace dialogue rather than the current approach to register their grievances.
He noted that the oil spill adversely affected those who reside in those areas.
The commissioner also called on security agencies to be more alert and to devise new means to protect very important oil and gas facilities in order to prevent further destructions
Obuebite urged Bayelsa residents, especially those in oil communities to be very vigilant and work closely with security agencies to apprehend anyone or group attempting to undermine key national assets. (NAN)