The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) revealed the discovery and confiscation of 63 illegal refineries in one week. This was disclosed through a documentary on Wednesday by the oil refining and regulation company.
They also said their fight against oil theft was yielding results as about 177 incidents of oil theft were recorded between August 3 and 9 by different sources.
According to the reports by NNPCL, Tantita Security Services recorded four incidents, Shell Petroleum Development Company recorded 11, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) recorded 26, Maton Engineering Company reported 20 incidents; NNPC 18 Operating Ltd recorded one, NNPC Command and Control Centre recorded 51, and government security agencies reported 64.
In the last one week, NNPC reported that 19 illegal pipeline connections were recovered, while some were reconstructed across several locations in Bayelsa and River states. Similarly in Abia, Imo, Akwaibom and Delta states, illegal pipelines were discovered.
Wooden boats conveying stolen crude numbering up to 15 were also confiscated in Rivers and Bayelsa states. Highlighting that 51 of those incidents took place in the deep blue water, 21 in the western region, 29 in the central region, and 76 in the eastern region. The numbers are huge, summing up to 177 incidents.
Between August 3 and August 9, NNPC said 16 suspects were arrested.
Security operatives both government and private owned have to be proactive as these “illegal refineries” were built on their watch. Should these refineries be confiscated or cleaned up and legalised as there is shortage of crude supply to local refineries?
The Petroleum Company’s efforts in curbing pipeline vandalism is essential for safe and efficient crude oil supply. These crudes, if channelled to the starving refineries would do well in alleviating the fuel scarcity in the country.
