The Rivers Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, in Port Harcourt on Thursday condemned the resurgence of oil installation vandalism in the Niger Delta region.

A Government House statement, signed by Simeon Nwakodo, the Governor’s Special Assistant on Social Media, quoted Wike as making the condemnation during an interview with a German Television station.

He said that blowing up oil pipes and destroying other installations was an economic crime and capable of sending the nation economically backward.

“Such acts are criminal and clearly not in the interest of the nation and the region; the effects are negative.

“Destroying oil installations will reduce the revenue coming to the country and the Niger Delta states, the implication is purely negative.”

Wike pledged to work with other governors in the Niger Delta to ensure proactive collaboration with the security agencies to check the crime.

“We will work with the law enforcement agencies to ensure that this ugly trend is tackled; it is not a good omen to our economy.

“Blowing up pipelines will not solve our development challenges, I know that insecurity is a threat to development, I will never support it.” (NAN)

*Photo shows Gov. Wike.