The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has said it could stop petroleum pipelines vandalism in the South West in a year, if given the mandate by the Federal Government.
Dr Fredrick Fasehun, the President and Founder of the OPC, gave the assurance at a media briefing last week in Lagos.
He urged the government to approve the proposal sent to it on the provision of security for the petroleum pipelines in the region.
The OPC had about two years ago, presented a proposal to the government on the issue, through the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC).
The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has said it could stop petroleum pipelines vandalism in the South West in a year, if given the mandate by the Federal Government.
Dr Fredrick Fasehun, the President and Founder of the OPC, gave the assurance at a media briefing last week in Lagos.
He urged the government to approve the proposal sent to it on the provision of security for the petroleum pipelines in the region.
The OPC had about two years ago, presented a proposal to the government on the issue, through the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC).
"The implementation of that proposal will effectively tackle pipeline vandalism in the region and guarantee supplies to the South West and other parts of Nigeria.
"However, if the Federal Government should engage OPC to provide security for the pipelines in the region, we guarantee we shall wipe out petroleum stealing," Fasehun said.
He said the OPC investigations showed that a well organised cartel run the nefarious business of pipeline vandalism and petroleum products pilfering, throughout the nation.
Fasehun said the all inclusiveness of the vandalism network, would explain why government efforts would fail to stop the act.
He, however, denied allegations that its members were responsible for the breaking of oil pipelines in Epe area of Lagos State.
It will be recalled that the Lagos arm of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on January 14 blamed the petroleum pipelines vandalism in Epe area on OPC.
The NSCDC made the accusation when it went to respond to distress calls in Epe where vandals punctured the pipeline and illegally siphoned petroleum products into tankers and jerry cans.
Fasehun described the allegations as illogical, unfounded and contradictory.
"Contrary to the NSCDC claims that the OPC hired to protect the pipelines vandalised it, the OPC has never been hired to provide security for pipelines or any other petroleum installations.
"OPC hereby states categorically that our members are not involved in pipeline vandalism in parts of Lagos, Ogun or anywhere in the South West" Fasehun said.
According to him, it is illogical for OPC to be involved in pipeline breaking when it has a proposal on security of the pipelines pending before the government.
"We challenge the Civil Defence or any other security agency to publicly parade any OPC member arrested for pipeline and petroleum product stealing.
"Such apprehended people have their identity verified because even non-Yoruba people who speak Yoruba Language sometimes claim to be OPC, just to get out of a tight corner.
“OPC has a data base for every authentic member and members carry identity cards.
“The existence of the identity cards are known to security agencies", the OPC founder said.
He said that the pan Yoruba socio-cultural outfit had played significant roles in rescue assistance, when fire gutted Atlas Cove and Ijegun in Lagos.
Fasehun also said the OPC played a major role in the recovery of the bodies of NNPC engineers, slain by pipeline vandals in Arepo, in Ogun.
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