President Bola Tinubu dispatched a high-powered delegation to the Niger Delta for stakeholder engagements on-the spot assessment on the fight against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The delegation led by Ministers of Defence, Ministers of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) and (Gas), Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, National Security Adviser (NSA), Service Chiefs, Commander Operation Delta Safe, representative of the DG DSS, SA to the President on Energy, NNPC Ltd. leadership team, Commission and Authority Chief Executives.
Barely 24 hours after inspecting the Port Harcourt Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex to assess start-up readiness, the Ministers, Permanent Secretary and NNPC Limited team led by Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mele Kyari, Executive Vice President Upstream, Engr. Adokiye Tombomieye and Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Mr. Bala Wunti were part of the delegation.
The joint mission started at the Nigerian Air Force Base Port Harcourt from where the delegation proceeded to Rivers State Government House to pay a courtesy call on the Governor of Rivers State.
Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, addressed the media shortly after a closed-door meeting with the governor stating the objectives of the delegation and the charge by President Tinubu 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 crude oil theft and economic sabotage”. He said
They observed illegal connections costing the country million dollar losses. The damage at one location in Owaza in Abia state cost Nigeria a loss of 7.2 million dollars per month.
NNPCL GCEO noted that while oil theft in vessels can be tracked, host communities must play vital role in curbing oil theft within their communities where oil facilities are situated.
According to the Minister, “This is part of the reasons why we cannot meet our OPEC quota”, he added.
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.
Upon return to the Air Force base, the delegation embarked on an over flight over Owaza, Bille, Azuzuama, Ahoada, Rumuekepe Ebocha, Abacheke, Egbema, Ohaji, and Koko communities of Abia, Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo and Delta states.
At Owaza 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 NSA, 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 rightly labeled as criminals and bandits.
He echoed the message of the lead of the delegation “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”
During the aerial assessment, the delegation got first-hand insights into the progress of war on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta. They observed clandestine refineries, illegal bunkering operations, and 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 gravity of the situation and critical need to strengthen collaboration for a comprehensive solution.
The community security contractors were also on ground to brief the delegation on recent successes and challenges encountered.
The joint participation of the Ministers, NSA, Service Chiefs, Oil and Gas Industry Regulators, and NNPCL leadership underscores unity of purpose among various stakeholders to combat large scale economic sabotage holding the entire country to ransom.