Cynthia Ezegwu
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has announced the establishment of a dedicated task force to safeguard petroleum pipelines across the state.
The governor made the disclosure on Friday during a courtesy visit to his office by the newly elected leadership of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Edo State chapter, led by its Chairman, Michael Ogiamen.
Okpebholo, who was responding to concerns raised by the association over recurring cases of pipeline vandalism along the Benin Depot–Warri Refinery corridor, said the task force would not only protect critical oil infrastructure but also strengthen overall security in the state.
He further revealed plans to empower the office of the Senior Special Assistant on Pipeline Surveillance to ensure effective monitoring and protection of petroleum assets.
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“For the vandalism of pipelines, we have already set up a task force on pipeline monitoring. We will take charge on our part. But the Warri part, that is, Delta State, I will also talk to the governor to see how we can jointly monitor the pipelines so that there will be no vandalism going forward,” Okpebholo said.
In his remarks, Ogiamen pledged IPMAN’s commitment to transparency, unity, and continuity of leadership within the association.
“I can honestly tell you, sir, that at the expiration of my tenure of three years, I will hand over to my vice here, Mr. Pius. That has been our practice, and it will not change according to our constitution,” the IPMAN chairman stated.