NLC Condemns Renewed Blowing up of Pipelines in Niger-Delta

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in Abuja on Sunday landed heavily on what it termed the renewed blowing-up of major oil and gas pipelines by suspected militants in the Niger-Delta region.The NLC also maintained that the issue of national security should not be taken lightly.President of the congress, Ayuba Wabba, also posited that, “Pipeline vandalism is highly condemnable; this should not be allowed to happen in a civilized society.“Oil and gas pipeline vandalism will contribute largely to the air and water pollution of the region and reduce the revenue base of the country.“Pipeline vandalism remains a threat to national security; therefore, the issue should not be taken lightly.“Niger-Delta militants should engage in dialogue with the Federal Government rather than confrontation in resolving issues.“The Federal Government should sustain the amnesty programme as it would serve as a means of addressing some of the challenges in the region.“I hope that the renewed blowing-up of major oil and gas pipelines is not as a result of the ongoing probe of some political leaders in the region.“Our call is that the government should remain focused in its fight against corruption and it should not be tired by whatever pressure.“We also want to appreciate what the security agencies have been able to do in terms of protecting the pipelines in the region, they should put in more efforts to contain the crisis.”