Power crisis looms as Trans-Forcados pipeline is vandalised again

Trans Forcados oil pipeline has again been vandalised by yet-to-be identified persons, causing fears of possible reduction in power supply in some parts of the country.

The damage on the Trans Forcados pipeline at Oteghele axis in Bayelsa State has caused a crude oil spill. Daily Times gathered that the incident recorded over last weekend is the third this year, occurring within a space of 17 days. Special Assistant (Media) to Minister of Power, Kande Daniel, who also confirmed the incident in a statement, said all oil and gas production into the damaged pipeline has been shutdown to allow for an assessment and repairs. “The duration of the disruption has not been estimated yet by sector technical experts, but it is expected to reduce the volume of gas available for power generation whilst the situation lasts,” Kande Daniel said.

He said the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, has appealed for the understanding of electricity consumers, for the reduction in power supply which this development may cause in some parts of the country.

The Minister described as ‘painful’, the possible motive of sabotage, in view of the established cycle of vandalism incidents always coming on the heels of achieved high generation levels. Nebo, however, assured Nigerians that the Ministry’s collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the nation’s security forces has resulted in the arrest of some pipeline vandals in the recent past.