Growing Vandalism on Energy Infrastructure, Expert demands Capital Punishment for Vandals.
Lagos, Nigeria – Tolulope Aderemi, a partner at Perchstone & Graeys LP, has raised alarm over the escalating vandalism of critical infrastructure in Nigeria, which has significantly impacted the nation’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. In a recent interview with a national television network, Aderemi revealed that five of the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) trains are currently non-operational due to acts of vandalism, leading to a notable decrease in LNG output.
Aderemi emphasized the need for the NLNG to revisit its original pipeline security strategies, specifically the surveillance and grass-cutting contracts that had previously proven effective. “These strategies have shown to be successful, and there is no justification for abandoning a model that works,” he stated, advocating for the application of technology to enhance the protection of oil and gas infrastructure.
In a more drastic call to action, Aderemi urged the Nigerian Federal Government to implement capital punishment for individuals caught vandalizing pipelines, highlighting the economic significance of these assets, which generate approximately $865 million annually for the country.
The urgency of Aderemi’s message is underscored by the current LNG landscape in Europe, where the European Union imports 17.5 million tonnes of LNG from Russia. With expectations for increased purchases in 2024, the EU is actively seeking to reduce its dependence on Russian LNG by 2030. However, alternatives like Algeria and Nigeria currently meet only 10% and 4.2% of the demand, respectively, forcing Europe to rely heavily on the US and Russia.
Given Nigeria’s substantial gas reserves, Aderemi believes the country must strategically position itself to fulfill the EU’s LNG requirements. With the recent completion of Train 7, NLNG’s total capacity has reached 30 million tonnes, which could potentially satisfy the EU’s demand if all seven trains are operational.
In conclusion, Aderemi called on the government to designate NLNG infrastructure as a ‘critical government asset’ and consider the establishment of a dedicated ‘Marine Army’ for its protection. He reiterated the importance of reverting to effective surveillance and grass-cutting models to safeguard Nigeria’s vital energy resources.