Crude Oil Theft: FG Begins Probe, Culprits To Face Prosecution

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has disclosed that the Federal Government has began probe into the massive crude oil theft in the Niger Delta and those found guilty would face prosecution.

Naija News reports that the latest development comes following the discovery of no fewer than 58 illegal points in Delta and Bayelsa states where crude oil was being stolen.

Recall that in August, the Federal Government awarded a pipeline surveillance contract worth N48bn per annum to a firm run by Government Ekpemupolo, popularly called Tompolo, to curb the massive oil theft in the Niger Delta.

The former leader of the militant group, in a recent interview with journalists in Delta State revealed that 58 illegal oil points was discovered within the area.

He said: “I think we have found over 58 points that have been tapped in both Delta and Bayelsa states. We are doing this work together with the security agencies. We are only providing intelligence for the security people to assist to do the work”

Speaking on the development, the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC Limited, Garba-Deen Muhammad, said culprits would be prosecuted.

He also made reference to the statement of NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, stating that  the oil firm had embarked on series of interventions to tackle and probe the menace.

He said: “Since it is a breach against the law, whether on pipelines or not, the law will certainly take its course. But it is not NNPC that will handle that aspect.

“Since the GCEO (Group Chief Executive Officer) has spoken about it, you don’t need anybody to say anything else about it. You can use that as the final statement from the NNPC.”

According to PUNCH, the former President, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Sam Nzekwe, during a recent meeting in Abuja said the pipeline contract to Tompolo is in the right direction since he is from the grassroot.

According to him, Tompolo would help curb oil theft, adding that he knows the terrain better than those who were securing the pipeline in the past.

He said: “It is not that our security agencies are not working, but the fact is that this man (Tompolo) is from the grassroots and understands the area more than the security officers. That is he has been able to see where these activities happen.

“He has more intelligence and that is why he’s making progress this fast. He knows the terrain better than those who were securing it in the past. So I think it is a good development because our desire is to stop oil theft.”