Pipeline Vandalism Threatens $20bn Gas Investments in Nigeria

Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has called for enhanced protection of Nigeria’s energy infrastructure, citing the recent securing of over $20bn in gas sale and purchase agreements by NNPC Limited. Dr Akpos Mezeh, General Manager of Community and Stakeholders Relations at PINL, made this statement during a stakeholders’ engagement forum in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The agreements involve 1.29 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day for long-term LNG feed gas and an additional 750 million standard cubic feet per day for domestic industrial gas supply. Mezeh noted that these investments could significantly boost Nigeria's industrial growth, job creation, and energy security, but warned that pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft pose serious threats.

He highlighted the near completion of key gas infrastructure projects, including the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben Gas Pipeline and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline. Mezeh urged community leaders and residents to collaborate with security agencies to prevent attacks on critical infrastructure, emphasizing that pipeline security is a shared responsibility.