Nigeria’s Minister of state for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has reiterated Nigerian Government commitment to stem the tide of crude oil theft in the Nigeria’s Niger Delta, stating that the activities of crude oil theft has resulted in huge economic losses to the Nigerian Government.
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The Minister stated this during his visit to the Niger Delta, South South Nigeria as part of a delegation to the area for an assessment of the ongoing fight against crude oil theft in the oil rich region of Nigeria.
Recall that Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu dispatched a high-powered delegation to the Niger Delta for stakeholder engagements and on-the spot assessment of the fight against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta led by the Minister of Defence Muhammed Badaru and comprising of Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperipe Ekpo, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and other key stakeholders.
The Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, while addressing journalists during the tour in Port Harcourt the Rivers State Capital, stated that the objectives of the delegation and the charge by President Bola Tinubu was to asses the situation of crude oil theft in the area and profer lasting solution to the challenge.
“ 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 asserts. According to him, the team observed the prevalence of illegal connections on several pipelines costing the country million dollars in losses.
“The damage at one location in Owaza in Abia state is costing Nigeria a loss of 7.2 million Dollars per month”, he revealed.
The Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Limited, Melle Kyari noted that while Oil theft in vessels can be tracked, the Host Communities must play a vital role in curbing oil theft within their communities where oil facilities are situated. “These are part of reasons why we cannot meet our OPEC quota”, he added.
The Community Security Contractors also briefed the delegation on recent successes and challenges encountered while carrying out their duties.
According the Chief Security Officer, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Mr. Patrick Godwin, arrests have been made and some culprits have been prosecuted.
The delegation, however, embarked on an overflight tour on some host communities such as Owaza, Bille, Azuzuama, Ahoada, Rumuekepe Ebocha, Abacheke, Egbema, Ohaji, and Koko communities of Abia, Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo and Delta states.
At Owaza community, the team visited the Trans-Niger Pipeline Right of Way where an array of dismantled illegal connections where observed.
After a ground assessment of illegal connection points and destroyed illegal refineries,
the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu applauded the role of the Government Security Forces, Community Security Contractors, and NNPC Limited in stepping up the fight against crude oil theft and economic sabotage that profits only a few citizens he labelled as criminals and bandits.
“Enough is enough, the environment and livelihoods are being destroyed and the Federation is deprived of revenue capable of shoring up the economy and strengthening the Naira”, he asserts.
During the aerial assessment, the delegation observed clandestine refineries, illegal bunkering operations, and large scale environmental devastation, collectively translating into severe economic losses for the country.
According to Ribadu, the visit ‘’underscores the unity of purpose among various stakeholders to combat the large scale economic sabotage holding the entire country to ransom”.
“it’s 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 to the crude oil theft bedeviling the country”, he said.
