Defence chief Christopher Musa has urged the host communities of the Trans Niger Pipeline to protect national assets located within their areas.

Mr Musa made the appeal at a monthly stakeholders’ meeting organised by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

He stated that the effects of oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism were primarily borne by the host communities themselves.

The defence chief noted that the environmental and health risks from pipeline damage affect locals more than the oil companies operating in the region.

“These assets are on your land. You benefit from them, so you must protect them and safeguard yourselves from the hazards,” he said.

Mr Musa praised PINL for its consistent efforts in securing the assets, particularly its record of zero infractions on the Trans Niger pipelines.

Earlier, Akpos Mezeh, PINL’s community relations consultant, urged host communities to collaborate in tackling security challenges in the Niger Delta.

Mr Mezeh said PINL had expanded its mandate to include the security of all oil and gas infrastructure in the Eastern Corridor, including gas pipelines. He explained that the meeting aimed to reduce pipeline vandalism and oil theft, which have major economic consequences for the country.

Mr Mezeh stated that PINL had seen near-zero incidents over the past month, crediting the host community’s cooperation for the achievement.

However, he identified ongoing issues, including poor information sharing, threats to surveillance guards, stakeholder collusion, and leadership disputes.

Keynote speaker Otoyo Sunday discussed the serious health effects of gas flaring in the Niger Delta region. He urged people to view the environment as living, warning that harmful activities have long-term consequences for people and nature.

Mr Sunday condemned gas flaring caused by well testing, pressure releases, and illegal refining activities.

Datolu Sokubo, chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council, eastern zone, called for a balanced focus on security and human development.

“You can’t protect pipelines without addressing people’s welfare. Without our cooperation, infrastructure is never truly secure,” he said.

He urged the federal government to prioritise development, especially in education and healthcare, across the region.

The traditional ruler of Ekpeye Land, Eze Kelvin Anugwu, called on oil companies to end gas flaring immediately. He urged PINL to raise awareness of the health and environmental concerns of the communities.

“We keep advising our youths against bunkering. But oil firms must take responsibility for the long-term effects of their operations,” he stated.

(NAN)