An oil theft situation assessment delegation deployed in the Niger Delta by President Bola Tinubu discovered an illegal oil connection on Saturday.
Nigeria loses an average of $7.2 million a month from the illegal connection discovered at Owaza in Abia state, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd reported on Sunday.
He added that the clandestine refineries, illegal bunkering operations and environmental devastation the team saw collectively resulted in severe economic losses for the nation.
The delegation, headed by Defense Minister Muhammed Badaru, is made up of heads of service and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Petroleum), Heineken Lokpobiri.
Other members include Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas) Resources Ekperipe Ekpo, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Group Ltd Mele Kyari.
Also part of the team are the commander of Operation Delta Safe, Olusegun Ferreira, a rear admiral, and operatives from security agencies and executive directors of regulatory agencies in the oil and gas sector.
The team visited the right-of-way of the Trans-Niger pipeline in Owaza, Abia, where a number of dismantled illegal connections were observed.
“We are ready to do whatever it takes to achieve a peaceful Niger Delta. Cease and desist crude oil theft and economic sabotage,” Badaru advised at the scene.
In his remarks, Kyari said that while oil theft from vessels can be traced, oil communities must play a vital role in curbing oil theft within their communities.
“Oil theft is one of the reasons why Nigeria cannot meet its OPEC daily production quota,” he said.
Also speaking at the scene, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd security director Patrick Godwin said some arrests had been made and the culprits had been prosecuted.
In his remarks, Ribadu applauded security agencies, community security contractors and NNPC Ltd for stepping up the fight against oil theft and economic sabotage.
“The environment and livelihoods are being destroyed while the federation is deprived of revenue capable of propping up the economy and strengthening the naira,” he said.
(YAYA)
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