Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide President Doubra Okotete and Niger Delta traditional rulers have called on the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, to renew oil and gas pipelines that have remained in service for more than 60 years.
They also asked bodies charged with securing pipelines and other petroleum assets in the Niger Delta to notify the appropriate authorities about the dangers posed by obsolete pipelines, abandoned wellheads and gas flaring.
The stakeholders called for action to prevent accidents rather than waiting for damage to occur. They said pipeline-security programmes must not be limited to stopping vandalism, but should also address infrastructure failures that could harm the environment and residents of host communities.
The demands were made at stakeholder sessions on the protection of vital pipeline infrastructure held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The October 9-10, 2026 meetings brought together monarchs, youth representatives, environmental experts, community delegates and other influential figures from the region.
Okotete said surveillance programmes had helped safeguard oil and gas facilities while allowing host communities to gain from resources carried through infrastructure located within their areas.
“Our appeal today is for the Federal Government, the NNPCL and the President of our great country to ensure that oil and gas pipelines that have lasted for over 60 years are replaced,” he said.
Onyekachi Amaonwu, the Eze Eberi-Ugo IX of Omuma Kingdom, said Nigeria would need meaningful cooperation with local stakeholders in producing communities if it was to meet its national output goals.
“For you to achieve these targets, there is no pipeline in Abuja; the pipelines are located right here in our communities,” Amaonwu said.
Participants at the Bayelsa meeting also urged oil companies and public authorities to reduce environmental risks linked to ageing pipelines, retired wellheads and continuing gas flaring.
They warned that the hazards could severely damage local livelihoods and undermine the environmental condition of affected communities.
King Bubaraye Dakolo Agada IV of Ekpetiama Kingdom said measures against pipeline sabotage should be matched by plans to control the wider risks created by oil and gas infrastructure.
While recognising that higher petroleum output could raise Nigeria’s revenue, he warned that spills could leave host communities facing long-term environmental damage and financial distress.
He called on residents to discourage sabotage and any other conduct that could trigger spills in waterways or residential areas.
At the same time, he said petroleum firms and relevant government agencies must take responsibility for preventing spills caused by deteriorating infrastructure.
