February 6, 2010
Between 1998 and 2009, Nigeria lost over two thousand people due to pipeline explosions across the country and pipeline vandalism and attempts by local residents to scoop fuel from vandalized pipelines accounted for most if not all of these incidents that now represent a major source of mortality rate in Nigeria.
Between 1998 and 2009, Nigeria lost over two thousand people due to pipeline explosions across the country and pipeline vandalism and attempts by local residents to scoop fuel from vandalized pipelines accounted for most if not all of these incidents that now represent a major source of mortality rate in Nigeria.
Undoubtedly, the pipeline project, a geopolitical ring binder, is one of the most important infrastructures in Nigeria as it stretched several thousands of kilometers and passed through several cities, villages and rural communities across the country. When these pipelines were constructed several years ago, many people, particularly in the rural communities, had big hopes and expectations that the pipelines would bring much desired social and economic improvements to their empowered areas. Sadly, it has brought much shock and awe.
Given the erratic nature of Nigeria ’s economy and the ever increasing proportion of poverty and unemployment as well as the specter of bunch of criminals, major pipelines in Nigeria have been exposed to the risks of attacks in the past decade more than any other time. Although most of these pipelines are buried underground, recent experience has shown that this approach does not and would not secure the pipelines from vandalism or sabotage.
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Despite the history of vandalism and major incidences that the country has witnessed in recent years, it is sad to note that there is no known agency or paramilitary structure in Nigeria which has been saddled with the responsibility of protecting this critical energy infrastructure. The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which oversees the project has no structure and capacity to ensure effective and efficient surveillance of the pipelines. It is even doubtful whether the NNPC has pipeline protection units or patrol teams nor any advanced technology for monitoring these pipelines.
articleadslinks
It is even more doubtful whether the NNPC ever engaged in any campaigns or public educational drive to involve the local communities in the pipelines protection even though, it is particularly essential that people, in particular, the local communities (where surveillance of the pipelines would be difficult to achieve) see the economic and social advantages of the pipelines in addition to making them realize that these benefits trickle down to the ordinary households without engaging in vandalism to eke out a living. Being sure about the positive impact to their communities can encourage people to take an active role in the protection of the pipeline and serve as a support resource to the government protection efforts. History has shown that the involvement of the local communities in pipeline protection cannot be overemphasized and the truth is that no efforts would succeed without the involvement of the local communities in the pipelines protection process.
It is a fact that without a conscious attempt to create an agency for pipeline security, it will be impossible to guarantee their full protection. Hence, as long as the economic hardships persist and the social miscreants dot our cities and villages, our gas lines will continue to be vulnerable to further attacks without an end in sight. It is obvious from the record of major explosion in the past years as stated above that no amount of such national catastrophe would discourage people from embarking on this Russian roulette that never ceases to claim victims.
In addition to creating a paramilitary agency either independently or under the supervision of the NNPC, to monitor the pipelines and involving the local communities in the protection process, the Federal Government should also emulate the legal processes or regulations adopted for this purpose by the advanced western nations in dealing with pipelines and other environmental issues. Let’s face it; this matter must be regarded as a national security issue. In other countries where terrorism persists, pipeline protection is given utmost attention and no amount of money is considered too much in ensuring their protection and safety.
In addition to creating paramilitary agency to monitor the pipelines an involving the local communities in the protection process, the Federal Government should also emulate the legal process adopted for this purpose by the advanced western nations in dealing with pipelines and other environmental issues. Let’s face it, this matter must be regarded as a national security issue. In other countries where terrorism persists, pipeline protection is given utmost attention and no amount of money is considered too much in ensuring their protection.
In U.K for instance, there is the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations of 1999. The COMAH Regulation as it is called, which came into effect in April 1999 and whose aim is to prevent major accidents involving dangerous substances and limit the consequences to people and the environment if do occur are enforced by a joint Competent Authority (CA) comprising of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Environment Agency (EA) in England and Wales. The COMAH Regulations 1999 require the Local Authorities to prepare and keep up-to-date Off-Site Emergency Plans for top tier COMAH sites in their area of jurisdiction.
There is also another Regulation known as the Pipelines Safety Regulations of 1996. This Regulation requires the Emergency Planning Unit to prepare emergency plans for Pipelines which carry fluids at over 7 bar pressure, which lie within the Tyne and Wear boundary. These pipeline are designated Major Accident Hazard Pipelines (MAHP). All pipelines within this category are used for the distribution of natural gas operated by National Grid, and pass through Sunderland City Council, Gateshead Council, and Newcastle City Council areas.
The Tyne & Wear Pipelines Emergency Plan became affective as of February 1998. The Plan was prepared on the basis of information provided by the pipeline operators regarding the nature, extent and likely effects of an accident involving natural gas. The aim of the Plan is to facilitate the rapid deployment and co-ordination of all necessary resources required to mitigate the effects of an incident involving an escape or ignition of natural gas at any point on the pipelines. The Objectives of the Plan are to harness all the available resources in order that it may: Minimize danger to the public; assist in the process of controlling and containing the incident; facilitate the co-ordination of external authorities and services; establish a system for the flow of information during an emergency and Preserve relevant data for subsequent investigation.
What this boils down to mean is that Nigeria must face the reality of the situation and stop blaming poverty each time there is a disaster of this nature. This is because as long as the country has no pipelines enforcement agency to monitor the pipelines, the Country is susceptible to explosions whether caused by vandalism or even careless activities such as construction or irrigation. In addition, the country should designate communities with these pipelines as Major Accident Hazard Areas and adopt regulations for emergency plans in case of possible future disasters. There is no gainsaying the fact that the end to this disaster is not in sight if the statistic of previous tragedies is anything to go by. It is a matter of when and where; but this can be prevented or at least, minimized with adequate protection and emergency plans.
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Undoubtedly, the pipeline project, a geopolitical ring binder, is one of the most important infrastructures in Nigeria as it stretched several thousands of kilometers and passed through several cities, villages and rural communities across the country. When these pipelines were constructed several years ago, many people, particularly in the rural communities, had big hopes and expectations that the pipelines would bring much desired social and economic improvements to their empowered areas. Sadly, it has brought much shock and awe.
Given the erratic nature of Nigeria ’s economy and the ever increasing proportion of poverty and unemployment as well as the specter of bunch of criminals, major pipelines in Nigeria have been exposed to the risks of attacks in the past decade more than any other time. Although most of these pipelines are buried underground, recent experience has shown that this approach does not and would not secure the pipelines from vandalism or sabotage.
articleadslinks
Despite the history of vandalism and major incidences that the country has witnessed in recent years, it is sad to note that there is no known agency or paramilitary structure in Nigeria which has been saddled with the responsibility of protecting this critical energy infrastructure. The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which oversees the project has no structure and capacity to ensure effective and efficient surveillance of the pipelines. It is even doubtful whether the NNPC has pipeline protection units or patrol teams nor any advanced technology for monitoring these pipelines.
articleadslinks
It is even more doubtful whether the NNPC ever engaged in any campaigns or public educational drive to involve the local communities in the pipelines protection even though, it is particularly essential that people, in particular, the local communities (where surveillance of the pipelines would be difficult to achieve) see the economic and social advantages of the pipelines in addition to making them realize that these benefits trickle down to the ordinary households without engaging in vandalism to eke out a living. Being sure about the positive impact to their communities can encourage people to take an active role in the protection of the pipeline and serve as a support resource to the government protection efforts. History has shown that the involvement of the local communities in pipeline protection cannot be overemphasized and the truth is that no efforts would succeed without the involvement of the local communities in the pipelines protection process.
It is a fact that without a conscious attempt to create an agency for pipeline security, it will be impossible to guarantee their full protection. Hence, as long as the economic hardships persist and the social miscreants dot our cities and villages, our gas lines will continue to be vulnerable to further attacks without an end in sight. It is obvious from the record of major explosion in the past years as stated above that no amount of such national catastrophe would discourage people from embarking on this Russian roulette that never ceases to claim victims.
In addition to creating a paramilitary agency either independently or under the supervision of the NNPC, to monitor the pipelines and involving the local communities in the protection process, the Federal Government should also emulate the legal processes or regulations adopted for this purpose by the advanced western nations in dealing with pipelines and other environmental issues. Let’s face it; this matter must be regarded as a national security issue. In other countries where terrorism persists, pipeline protection is given utmost attention and no amount of money is considered too much in ensuring their protection and safety.
In addition to creating paramilitary agency to monitor the pipelines an involving the local communities in the protection process, the Federal Government should also emulate the legal process adopted for this purpose by the advanced western nations in dealing with pipelines and other environmental issues. Let’s face it, this matter must be regarded as a national security issue. In other countries where terrorism persists, pipeline protection is given utmost attention and no amount of money is considered too much in ensuring their protection.
In U.K for instance, there is the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations of 1999. The COMAH Regulation as it is called, which came into effect in April 1999 and whose aim is to prevent major accidents involving dangerous substances and limit the consequences to people and the environment if do occur are enforced by a joint Competent Authority (CA) comprising of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Environment Agency (EA) in England and Wales. The COMAH Regulations 1999 require the Local Authorities to prepare and keep up-to-date Off-Site Emergency Plans for top tier COMAH sites in their area of jurisdiction.
There is also another Regulation known as the Pipelines Safety Regulations of 1996. This Regulation requires the Emergency Planning Unit to prepare emergency plans for Pipelines which carry fluids at over 7 bar pressure, which lie within the Tyne and Wear boundary. These pipeline are designated Major Accident Hazard Pipelines (MAHP). All pipelines within this category are used for the distribution of natural gas operated by National Grid, and pass through Sunderland City Council, Gateshead Council, and Newcastle City Council areas.
The Tyne & Wear Pipelines Emergency Plan became affective as of February 1998. The Plan was prepared on the basis of information provided by the pipeline operators regarding the nature, extent and likely effects of an accident involving natural gas. The aim of the Plan is to facilitate the rapid deployment and co-ordination of all necessary resources required to mitigate the effects of an incident involving an escape or ignition of natural gas at any point on the pipelines. The Objectives of the Plan are to harness all the available resources in order that it may: Minimize danger to the public; assist in the process of controlling and containing the incident; facilitate the co-ordination of external authorities and services; establish a system for the flow of information during an emergency and Preserve relevant data for subsequent investigation.
What this boils down to mean is that Nigeria must face the reality of the situation and stop blaming poverty each time there is a disaster of this nature. This is because as long as the country has no pipelines enforcement agency to monitor the pipelines, the Country is susceptible to explosions whether caused by vandalism or even careless activities such as construction or irrigation. In addition, the country should designate communities with these pipelines as Major Accident Hazard Areas and adopt regulations for emergency plans in case of possible future disasters. There is no gainsaying the fact that the end to this disaster is not in sight if the statistic of previous tragedies is anything to go by. It is a matter of when and where; but this can be prevented or at least, minimized with adequate protection and emergency plans.
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