Discussion and Conclusion

This chapter brings together the findings from the previous chapters and what has been learned about pipeline vandalism and oil and gas infrastructure insecurity in Nembe, Bayelsa, and the wider Niger Delta region in Nigeria. The evidence this book presents could be applicable and could be reasonably used to measure and gauge the socio-economic circumstances leading to tension and insecurity in oil and gas producing countries in the Global South. As noted, poverty, inequality, lack of opportunities, lack of political engagement, environmental degradation, poor infrastructure, lack of education, corruption, criminality, poor governance, and cursed leadership are some of the underlying factors that increase tensions and frustrations amongst local communities. These frustrations at times spill over into violence and criminality. This thesis explored the causes of onshore oil and gas pipeline infrastructure insecurity in Bayelsa state in the historic Niger Delta region of Nigeria focusing on the vandalism of the NCTL pipeline. The chapter argues that collective neglect of the local communities leads to collective anger and frustration in the communities which is part ingredient that leads to conflicts. This in turn provokes aggression against onshore oil and gas pipeline infrastructure. This manifests itself through increased vandalism of the pipelines. Continued pipeline vandalism is a manifestation of this collective state of affairs in Bayelsa-Nembe and the historic Niger Delta region.