Reps condemn rampant destruction of oil & gas pipelines in Nigeria
The House of Representatives has raised concerns over the persistent destruction of oil and gas pipelines across Nigeria. Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, Chairman of the Special Committee on Oil Theft, expressed dismay over the escalating incidents during a meeting with officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ltd. in Abuja. The gathering aimed to delve into the root causes of oil theft in the country and explore viable solutions to mitigate the menace.
Ado-Doguwa lamented the daunting challenge posed by the widespread destruction of oil and gas infrastructure in Nigeria. He highlighted that beyond the pipelines, breaches were also rampant at oil wellheads, flow stations, loading terminals, and export facilities. The lack of transparency in regulatory activities at the nation’s crude oil export terminals further exacerbated the issue, he noted.
“We are witnessing a concerning trend where vessels involved in crude theft receive approvals hastily, potentially indicating official complicity. Instances of undeclared liftings are prevalent, contributing to the significant volume of crude oil theft,” Ado-Doguwa stated.
Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director of NNPC Ltd., revealed alarming statistics regarding pipeline infractions, citing over 9,000 recorded incidents within a year. He disclosed the corporation’s efforts to combat the scourge, including deactivating illegal refineries and removing unauthorized pipeline connections. However, he underscored the persistent challenges posed by the clandestine activities of pipeline vandals, emphasizing the need for enhanced security measures.
Kyari emphasized the critical role of security in safeguarding vital assets like oil and gas pipelines, stressing the incorporation of all relevant security agencies into a unified platform. He underscored the imperative for robust security measures to protect these assets, which are crucial to Nigeria’s economy.
The magnitude of crude oil theft in Nigeria is staggering, with reports indicating losses amounting to trillions of Naira over a five-year period. The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) revealed that between 2017 and 2021, the country recorded over 7,000 cases of pipeline vandalism, resulting in significant crude theft and product losses. NEITI’s findings underscore the urgent need for concerted efforts to address the pervasive issue of pipeline vandalism and oil theft.
The Federal Government’s commitment to combatting pipeline vandalism is evident, with substantial investments directed towards repairs and maintenance of affected infrastructure. However, sustained collaborative efforts involving government agencies, security forces, and local communities are essential to effectively tackle the scourge of oil theft and protect Nigeria’s vital oil and gas assets.
**Keywords**: House of Representatives, oil and gas pipelines, Nigeria, oil theft, NNPC, pipeline vandalism, NEITI, crude oil theft, security,
