Global Journal of Earth and Environmental Science

The study was carried out to assess disaster management strategies employed by oil companies and government agencies towards oil pipeline vandalism in selected states in the Niger Delta region. The study made use of cross sectional research design, the simple random sampling method was used in selecting the sample for the study. Using this technique, the three states was selected for the study. From among the selected states (3), three LGAs and two communities each was also selected. For this study, eighteen (18) communities representing nine (9) local government areas from three (3) states of the study Area was used for the study. Questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. A total of 400 respondents were used for the study, this was achieved from using the Taro Yamane formula for sample size determination, hence 400 copies of questionnaire which is the major source of data collection were administered to the respondents using the proportionate sampling technique. The study found amongst others that there have been cases of pipeline vandalism on oil companies’ infrastructure; however, they are unaware of prevent/mitigation means used by the oil corporations to prevent/mitigate the occurrence of pipeline vandalism, on the prevention/mitigation and preparedness activities engaged by government agencies, security engagement was perceived as the most adopted strategies. Activation of emergency spill response team is the response strategy adopted by government and its agencies followed by arrest of vandals/victim and medical treatment of victims. Among various strategies adopted by government and its agencies for recovery/rehabilitation, community arrest of vandals was perceived as the most adopted strategy. The study recommended that oil multinationals should synergize with credible formal community-based platforms to work out a grassroots approach to pipelines surveillance and protection.