The Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Biodun Ogunleye, on Wednesday called on community leaders to support ongoing efforts to tackle pipeline vandalism.
Ogunleye made the appeal during a stakeholders’ meeting on pipeline safety held in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
The meeting brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, security agencies, local authorities, landlords’ associations, and youth groups.
The others include market women, religious leaders, transport unions, civil society actors, and media professionals.
The event, organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources had the theme: “Preventing Recurring Explosions and the Dangers of Encroachment on Petroleum Products Pipelines in Lagos State”.
Ogunleye said the engagement was aimed at sensitising residents, empowering community leaders, and strengthening surveillance.
He urged all stakeholders to play active roles in safeguarding national assets.
He emphasised the need for the initiative, citing the rising number of disasters linked to unauthorised activities around pipeline corridors.
The commissioner warned against the dangers of tampering with oil and gas infrastructure.
Ogunleye urged the participants to report suspicious activities and resist illegal constructions on pipeline Right of Way (RoW).
He educated the residents on the dangers of encroaching into RoW of pipelines across different communities in the state.
He said that such encroachment could lead to loss of lives and destruction of property.
“If you see something, say something, vandals and illegal bunkering operators thrive in silence.
“When a community is informed, united, and proactive, it becomes impossible for such illegal activities to persist,” he said.
Earlier, the Tradutional Ruler of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, who was represented by Olukayode Olomo, Baale Ojogbe, said that vandalism of pipeline must be tackled adequately.
Mr Samuel Ugwuon of the Falcon Petroleum Ltd, operators of the Falcon Pipeline Network in Lagos, emphasised the importance of public cooperation in monitoring right-of-way activities.
Ugwuon stressed the need to maintain buffer zones and report any suspicious digging.
Mr Sanuth Ogunlaja, representative of the Lagos State Safety Commission, highlighted the regulatory frameworks for industrial safety, and introduced community-based safety monitoring models, emphasising its mandate to enforce compliance and support public education.
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Mr Olukotun Odunayo, Chief Fire Officer of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, demonstrated emergency response strategies for pipeline-related fire incidents, and encouraged residents to familiarise themselves with emergency protocols and hotlines.
Mr Agbetiloye Kolawole, Deputy Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, emphasised the need to strengthen intelligence gathering, community surveillance and early warning systems.
He affirmed the commitment of the NSCDC to working closely with local vigilantes, police and state authorities to protect pipeline infrastructure.
“Security starts from the community. When we speak up, we can act fast,” the NSCDC representative said.
“Pipeline sabotage is economic sabotage and a direct threat to lives and property.” he said
