As part of efforts meant to curb threats in the creeks around oil assets, a marine security outfit has been floated in Nembe Area of Bayelsa State with OML 29 in focus.
BusinessDay reports that the action was taken to tackle sea piracy, armed robbery, pipeline vandalism, kidnapping and drug trafficking, terrorism, and other related crimes and threats within the area.
The marine security outfit named Kala Ekulema Nembe Marine Guards Limited (KENMGL) which was inaugurated by Edmund Daokoru, King and Amayanabo of Nembe, who was once a Petroleum Minister in Nigeria.
The outfit is also asked to train and empower personnel of KENMGL and community vigilance group with modern techniques and provide security services in the area.
These are said to helping realise the objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) which mandates host communities to help protect oil assets as condition for earning their benefits.
The people of Nembe LGA thus deemed it fit to establish a security firm to tackle general issues regarding marine security in the area as well protect oil and gas assets.
The security firm is seen as a significant move to address insecurity and strengthen security as well as uphold directives of the Federal Government with regards to the protection of oil assets in the Kingdom.
Daokoru inaugurated the leadership of the security company, which he said, is in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
Daokoru, the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, said the establishment of the company aligns with Section 6 of the PIA Act which states that; “In the event of sabotage or vandalism of petroleum installations or designated facilities within a host community, such community shall forfeit its entitlements under the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) 3% community development fund to the extent of the cost of repairs.”
The former secretary and later chairman of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, appointed Godwill Siempre Ombo, a retired Rear Admiral, as the Executive Chairman of the marine security company which is expected to also protect vital assets of OML 29.
These assets include Okiori Marginal Field, Elepa Field, and other oil giants like Oando African Energy Resources Limited, all of which are in joint venture with the Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Reflecting on the PIA provision, Ombo said in a statement in Yenagoa that, “The provision emphasises the critical role host communities must play in safeguarding oil infrastructure.”
Apart from the losses host communities could suffer as a result of sabotage, he mentioned the need for host communities to be in harmony with operators while stressing that host communities’ development is non-negotiable.
The statement said they were expected to bring their wealth of experience into the management of the pioneer community based maritime security company in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking to journalists, Ayebanua, the Secretary and Director Legal, said the objective is to protect the Nembe community from criminal elements operating within the marine environment.
“We have observed that despite the presence of federal and state security agents in Nembe, criminals still carry out oil pipeline vandalism and other crimes in the marine environment thereby threatening the peace in the area.
“Our task is to collaborate with other federal and state security actors to ensure that the Nembe area continues to enjoy peaceful coexistence with companies and individuals operating in the kingdom.”
Ombo, the executive chairman, also cautioned individuals and groups operating within the Nembe marine environment to get recommendation from the king to ease their operations.
