PIPELINE VANDALISM: Militant Group Claims Responsibility . . . Monarch Condemns Action
2 min read
By Oyagiri Chime
A youth group known as Akoh Liberation Movement (ALM), has again vandalized oil pipelines belonging to Total E&P Limited recently. This is coming at a period when the federal government is struggling to meet up with its financial obligations due to dwindling oil revenue.
The vandalized pipeline , OML 58, is located along Odiemerenyi community in Ahoada East local government area of Rivers State, Nigeria.
The group claimed that it vandalized the oil facility in order to draw the company’s attention to the plight of the people, especially the youths that have been forgotten and made to wallow in abject penury in the midst of plenty.
Among the group’s four point demands in the letter of notice dropped at the site of incident were; “To be In-Charge of surveillance protection of the OML 58 pipelines across the eight (8) communities in Igbu Akoh Kingdom, to provide skill acquisitions, to provide mono pumps in the eight (8) communities and scholarships should be given to the host communities in Igbu Akoh”.
Another write up hanged along surrounding bush says; “Akoh youth allegiance, we need sovereignty and We are Total’s landlord, yet we are poor”.
Reacting to the action of the group, His Royal Majesty, Eze Godpower Okorobia Okpagi, JP, the Eze Igbu Akoh 11, said; “I can’t believe nor say is the entire Igbu Akoh youth, but some youths that called themselves, ‘Akoh Liberation Movement’. They left a demand notice, duly signed by someone”.
The monarch opined that since since they have done theirs to have reported the incident to the appropriate quarters, the onus to carry out any actions or otherwise is not with them.
Okpagi described the relationship between the company and host communities of OML 58 pipeline right of way, Igbu Akoh axis as robust, stressing that many indigenes have benefitted from the company’s scholarship schemes, skill acquisitions programmes, provision of social amenities like mono pumps, transformers, amongst others.
The monarch enjoined the youths to eschew all forms of violence, since it is inimical to development.
On his part, the paramount ruler of Odiemerenyi community, His Highness Eze Prince Kpasa called on the government to be more decisive on those found sabotaging oil facilities.
Kpasa denied involvement of his community youths.
When contacted, Charles Ebereonwo, Spokeperson for Total E & P, said he could not make an official statement on the matter, adding that the company treats such issues as utmost priorities.
” I can’t confirm anything because I don’t have official confirmation. But you can be rest assured that when such things happen, the company treats them as utmost priority and does everything, not only to protect lives and property, but also to protect the environment and minimize the impact on all our stakeholders,” he added.
