The head of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has sounded the alarm on the dire consequences of oil theft and vandalism in the Niger Delta, describing it as a calamity of monumental proportions.
Speaking before the Senate Committee on Appropriation in Abuja on Friday, Kyari revealed the staggering extent of the issue, with over 4,800 illegal connections on crude oil pipelines in the region. He cautioned that if left unchecked, this rampant criminal activity could severely thwart the Federal Government’s projections.
Kyari emphasized the pivotal role of the security situation in the Niger Delta, asserting that the region’s daily oil production is intricately linked to its stability. He expressed his grave concern, stating, “The situation we have in Niger Delta in terms of security is a calamity. We don’t have that anywhere in the world. To engage non-state actors as a last resort is abnormal. But we have to respond abnormally.”
The NNPCL CEO elucidated the debilitating impact of the prevalent illegal connections on oil pipelines, lamenting, “You have over 4,800 illegal connections on our pipelines. That means, within every kilometer, you have an insertion. Even if you seal all the insertions, you can’t get what you want in terms of production.”
Furthermore, Kyari highlighted the widespread illicit refining activities occurring in the Niger Delta, attributing it to individuals converging from various parts of the country to partake in this unlawful practice. He stressed the imperative need to engage local communities to address this issue, affirming, “In the Niger Delta, people are coming from all parts of the country to do illegal refining. That’s why we engage locals to deal with it.”
In conclusion, the NNPC Chief left no room for doubt about the severity of the situation, proclaiming, “We will contain this challenge. We are doing everything possible to restore sanity. What is happening is a colossal damage to the environment and the host communities.”
Kyari’s poignant remarks serve as a clarion call for urgent and concerted efforts to combat the pervasive menace of oil theft and vandalism in the Niger Delta, underscoring the imperative need to safeguard the region’s vital resources and protect the livelihoods of its inhabitants.
