The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has commenced the implementation of community-based Disaster Risk Reduction plan aimed at reducing pipeline vandalism in Bayelsa State.

The Director-General of NOSDRA, Dr Peter Idabor announced the implementation of the scheme in 25 Bayelsa Communities at phase two of Disaster Risk Reduction plan held in Yenagoa on Tuesday.

Represented by the agency’s Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Musa Idris Idabor noted that the integration of oil communities in oil spill management would promote a community-driven system of environmental protection.

He said that the agency observed that the non-existence of a community-based strategy of risk reduction in oil spill management constituted a limitation in the industry.

The D-G, noted that pollution from oil exploration caused by pipeline vandalism had adverse environmental implication and threatened the health of residents.

“This has resulted in the development of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) plan for stakeholders’ by NOSDGRA in collaboration with UNDP to mitigate environmental problems.

“The pilot phase of this project was carried out between May 26 and 28, 2014, and the selected communities for the pilot scheme were the Ikarama and Kalaba communities.

“The pilot project and follow-up programmes for these communities were a huge success.

“The DRR plan was developed by NOSDRA to incorporate and engender an interface with stakeholders that hitherto have not been engaged in the effort to curb pipeline vandalism.

“While it is true that crude oil is spilled into the environment due to equipment failure and operational negligence, pipeline vandalism by unscrupulous members of host and transit communities also contribute.

“This results to adverse socio-economic, health and environmental conditions,” he said.

Representatives of 25 communities across Bayelsa, the Bayelsa Government, Agip as well as Civil Society organisations attended the forum.

In a remark, Commissioner for Environment, Mr Iniruo Wills, who represented Governor Seriake Dickson restated the resolve of the state government to reduce disasters in oilfields within the state to the barest minimum.

He noted that pipeline vandalism was inimical to the economy as the revenue loss deprives the citizens of social amenities that would have been provided by government while enriching the oil thieves.

According to him, the operations of oil thieves had also resulted to proliferation of arms and creating security challenges.

Also speaking, Chief Iyerite Awululu traditional ruler of Oluasiri community, regretted the total neglect of host communities and lack of social amenities in the oil bearing communities

He noted that the communities had endured the environmental impact of oil exploration and had to purchase refined products above the recommended process, a development that made illegally refined products attractive.

“Kerosene costs N200 per liter but the ones refined locally is sold for N20 in my community, for petrol from official sources, the price is between N110 and N120 but the ones refined locally sells for N15, that is why people buy.

“He urged the federal government to reinstate the 10 percent equity proposed in the Petroleum Industry bill to give oil communities a stake in the oil industry.

•Photo shows pipeline explosion scene