Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba has blamed poverty, and the high cost and chronic scarcity of refined petroleum products for the spate of illegal dealings and theft of crude oil in the creeks of the Niger Delta.
Ezeoba, who called for cooperation of stakeholders in tackling the menace, warned that cases of crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, piracy and militancy pose dangerous threats to national security and economic survival.
Addressing a meeting of stakeholders in the oil and gas sector conveyed to seek means of reducing incidence of crude oil theft and other associate crimes in the country’s maritime sector, he lamented that the vices have splotched the image of the country in the international community.
“It is instructive to note that whereas illegalities in the offshore area are on the decline, those in the creeks and onshore areas appear to be on the increase despite the presence of multiple security agencies within the environment,” he said.
“The high cost and chronic scarcity of refined products, combined with poverty has resulted in proliferation of numerous illegal micro refineries in the Niger Delta. This situation continues to provide incentives to crude oil thieves and pipeline vandals.”
He further observed that the need to fuel the illegal refineries with crude oil has encouraged many poor coastal community dwellers and other criminals in the Niger Delta to engage in pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.
He noted that the multidimensional nature and extensive stretch of pipelines over several kilometers in the creeks and estuaries of the Niger Delta make it difficult for a any organisation to, singlehandedly, totally eradicate crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism. He added that it requires the collective resolve and efforts of all stakeholders to eliminate the scourge.
Ezeoba disclosed that the Nigerian Navy is considering a holistic approach hinged on proactive and constructive security architecture that is driven by robust surveillance, response initiatives and enforcement in tackling the menace.
In her opening remarks, Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada stated that the threats of crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and piracy to national economy are enough reason why all stakeholders should be on same page.
Apart from the need for synergy and collective effort, “we need to agree on what quantity of crude oil is being stolen, so that we can speak with one voice” she added.
