The House of Representatives in Nigeria has expressed deep concern over the continuous destruction of oil and gas pipelines in the country. During a meeting with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Abuja, the Chairman of the Special Committee on Oil Theft, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, strongly condemned this destructive act.

Ado-Doguwa highlighted the challenges faced in operating oil and gas pipelines in Nigeria, emphasizing that the problem extends beyond just the pipelines. He pointed out that breaches also occur at oil well heads, flow stations, loading, and export terminals, among other critical points in the oil infrastructure.

The lack of transparency in regulatory activities at the nation’s crude oil export terminals was also a major concern raised during the meeting. Ado-Doguwa expressed alarm at the reported instances of approvals being hastily granted to vessels involved in crude theft, indicating possible official complicity in these illegal activities.

The Group Managing Director of NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari, revealed shocking statistics of infractions on the corporation’s pipelines. Over 9000 infractions were recorded within a year, with thousands of illegal refineries deactivated and illegal pipeline connections removed. Kyari emphasized the widespread nature of crude oil theft in Nigeria, noting that it is a pervasive issue involving various stakeholders.

The scale of the problem is staggering, with illegal activities taking place in close proximity to settlements and local government headquarters. Despite efforts to address the issue, the constant replacement of illegal connections poses a significant challenge for authorities.

The meeting underscored the urgent need to tackle oil theft in Nigeria comprehensively. The collaboration between the House of Representatives and NNPC aims to identify the root causes of these criminal activities and implement effective solutions to curb the menace.

The fight against oil theft requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders to safeguard Nigeria’s valuable oil resources and protect the environment from the devastating impact of these illegal activities. It is crucial to address the systemic issues that enable crude oil theft to thrive and ensure accountability and transparency in the oil and gas sector.