The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to Investigate the state of oil and gas pipelines across Nigeria, including the causes and impacts of frequent vandalisation and operational failures.
The House therefore set up an ad hoc committee headed by Tijani Ghali (NNPP, Kano) to conduct the investigation and assess the adequacy of existing security and maintenance measures in safeguarding the nation’s petroleum infrastructure.
Adopting a motion of urgent public importance by Muhammed Bello Shehu the House asked the ad hoc Committee to examine the effectiveness of past and present government interventions aimed at protecting pipelines.
They are to liase with stakeholders in the industry, including the NNPCL, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), National Security Agencies, oil companies, host communities, and civil society organisations.
Moving the motion co-sponsored by 14 other lawmakers, Shehu said l Nigeria’s oil and gas sector remains the backbone of the national economy, contributing approximately 9% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generating over 90% of export revenues.
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He said the effective transportation of petroleum resources is dependent on the integrity of the country’s pipeline infrastructure, adding that between 2018 and 2023, Nigeria recorded over 7000 incidents of pipeline vandalism, resulting in the loss of $12.74 million worth of crude oil.
He disclosed that in October 2024, crude oil supply to Sheil’s Forcados Terminal was reduced by 50% due to sabotage, leading to loading delays and tne risk of force majeure declarations.
Shehu said “January 2025, a major pipeline spill from a facility owned by Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary caused environmental devastation in the Niger De’ta. worsening pollution and economic hardship for host communities.
“In February 2025, Shell reported an oi! spill near Por: Harcourt caused by an overflow during pipeline flushing operations, hichliotting ongoing risks in pipeline management.
“Recurrent pipeline breaches have led to extensive environmental degradation, loss of livelihoods, and substantial national revenue losses, f:rther straining the country’s economic and security landscape.
‘The Niger Delta region has suffered from decades of oil spills, causing severe health hazards, destruction of farmlands, and contamination of water sources, thereby exacerbating poverty among local communities.
“The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has intensified efforts to combat crude oil theft, uncovering 19 illegal pipeline connections and 58 illegal refineries in a single week in January 2025.
“The deterioration of oil and gas pipeline networks not only threatens Nigeria’s energy security but also undermines the country’s potential for sustainable economic development.”