Abstract

Pipelines are considered the safest, reliable and most economic means of transporting natural gas, crude oil, liquid petroleum and other petroleum derivatives in very large volumes to feed industries and other end users. As a nation endowed with huge natural gas and crude oil reserve, pipelines are considered very critical to the economy of Nigeria. As the Russia invasion of Ukraine continues, the demand for Nigerian natural gas may increase, coupled with the regional demand across African states for natural gas to power their industries. The implication is that in the years ahead many more pipeline infrastructure projects will be needed. There are quite a good number of natural gas pipeline infrastructure planned out to promote the domestic distribution of gas in Nigeria to industries and prominent among which are the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3), and the $2.6 billion Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline projects, which are critical arteries to move gas. OB3 pipeline project is expected to commercialise over 2 billion cubic feet of gas per day and generate billions in revenue as well as create thousands of employment opportunities for Nigerians. As critical as pipeline have become to the economy in Nigeria, pipeline vandalisation have continued to pose a serious challenge. This article considers the legal frameworks and pipeline safety in Nigeria in the light of the roles and duties of Local Government Authorities and pipeline communities. The article found that the illegal activities of third parties on pipeline Right of Ways in Nigeria has gotten to an un acceptable level, and that both Local Government Authorities and Communities do have critical roles to play in pipeline safety in Nigeria. It is recommended that collaboration between pipeline operators and local authorities and community can save the situation.