Another crude oil theft cabal uncovered!
Nigerians always make jokes about how the country should be a TV comedy show. This is mostly because of how often we hear mind-blowing stories like this one that shows how deeply rooted corruption is in the country.
There is a terminal called “Forcados”, which is a medium-sized offshore terminal that is operated by Shell. Essentially, all oil exports in Nigeria are carried out at that terminal and that is where all the oil pumped from the fields is transferred to.
Last week, the CEO of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari at the Senate Joint Committee On Gas and Petroleum, confirmed that the NNPC had discovered a four-kilometre-long illegal oil connection line from Forcados to the middle of the sea. The most shocking part of the revelation is that the Illegal connection line has been functioning unnoticed for 9 whole years. It was just discovered 6 weeks ago.
The NNPC confirmed that Nigeria has been losing over 400,000 barrels of oil monthly, which translates to a deficit of 700million dollars. The federal government also confirmed that oil revenue underperformed due to massive production lapses that were caused by pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.
The NNPC awarded a multi-billion naira pipeline surveillance procurement deal to a former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (Tompolo). In a recent video from Channels TV, Tompolo made a rather bold claim that some of the oil thieves are backed by some Nigerian security operatives.
The NNPC said that 395 illegal refineries had been deactivated, 274 reservoirs destroyed, 1,561 metal tanks destroyed and 49 trucks seized so far. According to them, locals in most areas where illegal refiners operate mistake them for the operatives of licensed companies.
One major question that has been left unanswered amid this discovery is “Who owns this illegal four-kilometer-long line or who is sponsoring the illegal activity?” Perhaps finding the Kingpin in charge of this illegal operation and putting them behind bars will serve as a deterrent for others but as they say “This is Nigeria”.
#STATEAFFAIRS is a segment that gives you a quick rundown of various political and state issues as they happen in the most simple, subtle language. In this edition, we are looking at the recently discovered four-kilometer-long illegal oil pipeline that has been operational for years.
