Residents of coastal communities of Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State are currently living in constant fear following explosion that rocked oil pipelines belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company.
The attacks which were launched on Thursday night and had led to massive spillage of crude from the Agip pipeline into the sea and fishing camps.
In a statement, member representing Brass Constituency 1 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr. Israel Sunny-Goli said “Preliminary investigations indicate that the bombing of the pipeline was an act of sabotage carried out to hurt the economic interests of Bayelsa state and Nigeria.
“The latest explosion coming after bombing of pipelines recently in the same area is worrisome as it is capable of forcing oil companies out of operation which would have adverse effect on Nigeria’s economy.”
The lawmaker added that “I want to condemn the latest attack on Agip pipeline at Kpongbokiri. This is a clear sabotage by economic saboteurs. Recently, they blasted pipeline at Orukari and Golubokiri.
” I condemn this latest attack on Agip pipeline at Kpongbokiri in its entirety. It is sabotage against Nigeria in a bid to cripple the economy at a time the nation is struggling with decline in revenue due to the fall in oil prices.
“It is common knowledge that because of the low price of oil which is our main source of revenue, many states can hardly pay workers’ salaries. This sabotage is capable of crippling the economy if not urgently curbed. If these attacks are not checked and the perpetrators brought to book and Agip decides to pull out of Bayelsa, it would be disastrous for us as a people.”