Abuja, Aug. 27, 2023: The Federal Government’s Oil Theft Situation Assessment Delegation to the Niger Delta Region has discovered more illegal oil connections costing the country millions of dollars.
According to the delegation, damage at one location in Owaza in Abia state is costing Nigeria a loss of 7.2 million dollars per month.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), in its twitter handle stated that the delegation made the discovery on Saturday during a tour of five states in the region.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday dispatched the high-powered delegation to the Niger Delta for stakeholder engagements and on-the spot assessment of the fight against crude oil theft.
The delegation, led by the Minister of Defence, Malam Muhammed Badaru comprised of the Service Chiefs, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperipe Ekpo.
Others include the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, Malam Mele Kyari, Commander Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira, security agencies and contractors, CEOs of regulatory agencies, among others.
This came barely 24 hours after the inspection of the Port Harcourt Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex to assess start-up readiness, by Lokpobiri and other top dignitaries led by Kyari.
According to the NNPC Ltd. twitter handle, the joint mission started at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Port Harcourt, and proceeded to Rivers State Government House where it paid a courtesy call on Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers.
The Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru was quoted stating the objectives of the delegation and the charge by the President to stem crude oil theft in Nigeria.
“We are ready to do whatever it takes for a peaceful Niger-Delta. Give peace a chance, cease and desist from crude oil theft and economic sabotage,” he said.
Kyari said while oil theft in vessels could be tracked, the Host Communities must also play a vital role in curbing oil theft within their communities where oil facilities are situated.
“These, Honourable Minister are part of reasons why we cannot meet the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota”, he added
The NNPC Ltd. said the Community Security Contractors were also on ground to brief the delegation on recent successes and challenges encountered.
According the Chief Security Officer of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Patrick Godwin, arrests have been made and some culprits have been prosecuted.
The company said upon return to the Airforce base, the delegation embarked on an overflight of Owaza, Bille, Azuzuama, Ahoada, Rumuekepe Ebocha, Abacheke, Egbema, Ohaji, and Koko communities of Abia, Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo and Delta States.
It said the team visited the Trans-Niger Pipeline Right of Way in Owaza, Abia state where an array of dismantled illegal connections were observed.
Ribadu was quoted applauding the role of the government security forces, community security contractors, and NNPC Limited on their efforts shortly after the ground assessment of illegal connection points and destroyed illegal refineries.
Ribadu lauded them in stepping up the fight against crude oil theft and economic sabotage that profited only a few citizens he rightly labelled as criminals and bandits.
“Enough is enough, the environment is being destroyed, livelihoods are being destroyed and the Federation is deprived of revenue capable of shoring up the economy and strengthening the Naira,” the national security adviser said.
According to the NNPC Ltd., during the aerial assessment, the delegation gained first-hand insights into the progress of the war on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
They observed clandestine refineries, illegal bunkering operations, and the scale of environmental devastation, collectively translating into severe economic losses for the country.
The visit was also an opportunity for the delegation to show their presence in the communities and assess the gravity of the situation and the critical need to strengthen collaboration for a comprehensive solution.
