Hell on Earth

Within a few week, three cities across Nigeria have witnessed what might be regarded as hell on earth as a result of pipeline and tanker explosions. There are no official figures from these infernos, but considering media reports, numerous lives have been lost, maimed, and properties destroyed.

In Rivers state, over hundred people were reportedly killed in separate incidents of pipeline and tanker explosions. On Monday evening in Benue state, 48 people were roasted to death after a petrol tanker exploded. Over 90 people from the incident are still receiving treatment. Today, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency confirmed two people dead and 30 vehicles burnt in the Ijegun, Lagos pipeline explosion. The incident is said to have occurred after a vandalized oil pipeline of the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission (NNPC) exploded.

Pipeline and tanker explosions have been a recurrent phenomenon in Nigeria. The country is reported to have lost $800 million 2018 due to incessant breaches on pipelines. The issue of pipeline vandalism as a causative factor will continue to happen if there is no community security strategy that includes members of communities where these pipelines are located. The current community-based approach of the oil companies contracting private security companies to provide surveillance over their assets has not been effective given that some groups are left out of the contract. Rather it has fueled criminalities like pipeline vandalism, oil bunkering, etc, especially from those not benefitting from the programme.

The ever-rising level of poverty in the country has intensified the struggle to access natural resources of value, with people employing all means necessary to benefit directly from it. Greed and grievance remain contributive factors to these.  While some pipeline vandalism is inspired by grievance out of the perceived neglect of government or oil companies, some are triggered by the desire to quickly acquire material rewards through illegitimate means. In addition, the poverty situation has also affected maintenance culture, as people would rather keep using worn out tankers and pipelines rather than replace them.

Regulatory agencies appear to be ineffectual in ensuring that safety standards are met by oil companies and petrol tanker operators. Likewise, due to the spate of security challenges in the country and the need to deploy security personnel in areas where insecurities are strife, there may not be enough personnel to man oil facilities.

In curbing the rate of pipeline vandalism-triggered explosions, surveillance contracts should be fairly awarded with the buy-in of members of communities where pipelines are located. With people from the communities employed and profit going back to the host communities, it will create a sense of ownership, inclusiveness and zeal to protect common assets. This will also help to augment the manpower of Nigerian security personnel in tackling insecurities. Job creation is one of the priorities of wise governments. Creating sustainable wealth that will lift people out of poverty will help reduce the level of frustration in the land and help in crime reduction.