The oil theft situation assessment delegation deployed in the Niger Delta by President Bola Tinubu discovered an illegal oil connection on Saturday where Nigeria loses an average of 7.2 million dollars monthly.
The delegation, led by the Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, has service chiefs and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, as members.
Other members are the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperipe Ekpo, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, Mele Kyari.
The team visited the Trans-Niger Pipeline Right of Way in Owaza, Abia, where an array of dismantled illegal connections were observed.
It added that clandestine refineries, illegal bunkering operations and environmental devastation the team saw collectively translated into severe economic losses for the nation.
“We are ready to do whatever it takes for a peaceful Niger-Delta. Cease and desist from crude oil theft and economic sabotage,’’ Malam Badaru advised at the site.
In his remarks, Kyari said while oil theft in vessels could be tracked, oil-bearing communities must play a vital role in curbing oil theft within their communities.
“Oil theft is one of the reasons why Nigeria cannot meet her OPEC daily production quota,’’ he said.
Hawk Daily News 
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