On Saturday, an illegal oil connection was found by a group sent by President Bola Tinubu to investigate the oil theft situation in the Niger Delta.
Nigeria loses an average of $7.2 million each month due to the unlawful connection found at Owaza in Abia, according to a statement made by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. on Sunday.
It also said that the team’s observations of illicit bunkering operations, covert refineries, and environmental destruction resulted into significant economic losses for the country.
Service chiefs and Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), are included in the group, which is headed by Malam Muhammed Badaru, Minister of Defence.
The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Malam Mele Kyari, and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperipe Ekpo, are also members.
Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira, the commander of “Operation Delta Safe,” as well as employees of security services and chief executives of regulatory organisations for the oil and gas industry, are also members of the team.
The team went to the Trans-Niger Pipeline Right of Way in Owaza, Abia, where they saw many disassembled illicit connections.
“We are willing to go to any lengths necessary to ensure that the Niger Delta is peaceful. Stop stealing crude oil and stop sabotaging the economy, Malam Badaru commanded there.
aboard his remarks, Kyari stated that although oil theft aboard vessels may be detected, oil-bearing communities must play a crucial part in reducing oil theft within their areas.
“Oil theft is one of the reasons Nigeria cannot meet her OPEC daily production quota,” he stated.
Patrick Godwin, the company’s chief security officer, claimed that some arrests had been made and the offenders had been brought before a judge while speaking at the scene.
In his remarks, Ribadu praised security organisations, community security providers, and NNPC Ltd. for stepping up their efforts to combat oil theft and economic sabotage.
“The federation is deprived of revenue capable of shoring up the economy and strengthening the Naira while the environment and livelihoods are being destroyed,” he said. (NAN)
