The Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Imo State Command, and the Imo State Chapter of the Independent Crude Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria have pledged to work together to combat pipeline vandalism in Imo.
Chmeziri Lowell, the NSCDC state Public Relations Officer, confirmed this in a statement to reporters in Owerri on Sunday.
According to the command, “It was historic and unprecedented at the state headquarters of the Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Imo State Command as the chairman, Independent Crude Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (ICOMAN) Imo State Chapter, Engr. Obi Chuks Ifeanyi and his executive members paid a reserved courtesy visit to the state commandant, Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Imo State Command, Commandant Mathew S. Ovye.
The visit was based on establishing synergy between the two organisations and ensuring protection of the government’s critical national assets and infrastructure, particularly in the oil sector.
Mr. Obi emphasised the importance of collaborating with NSCDC to protect oil pipelines across the federation. He also stated that his team will provide NSCDC with relevant intelligence on oil theft and vandalism in the state.
Responding, Imo NSCDC Commandant Matthew Ovye, who granted the ICOMAN boss’s request for collaboration, stated:
What they’re saying
“The fight against oil pipeline vandalism is a battle of no going back; we must sanitise the oil sector; we are leaving no stone unturned; it is the mandate of the NSCDC, and there is no room for compromise. Imo State is one of Nigeria’s oil-producing states, thus we are always prepared to battle these economic saboteurs.”
Bottom Line
The collaboration between the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Independent Crude Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (ICOMAN) in Imo State to combat pipeline vandalism appears to be a strategic move with potentially significant benefits.
Pipeline vandalism has been a major issue in Nigeria, causing substantial economic losses and environmental damage. By partnering with local stakeholders like ICOMAN, the NSCDC can leverage the oil marketers’ intimate knowledge of the industry and their on-the-ground presence to enhance surveillance and gather actionable intelligence on oil theft and vandalism activities
