Multinationals aiding oil theft in Nigeria – Naval chief
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, has accused
International Oil Companies operating in Nigeria of complicity in the
theft of the nation’s crude oil.
He also said that the Navy would not pretend about the involvement of the oil companies in crude oil theft.
He spoke at a meeting of the top leadership of the Navy and the
Managing Directors/Chief Executive Officers of the IOCs in Abuja on
Wednesday.
Jibrin said it took him seven and a half months
since his appointment to call the first meeting between the Navy and the
firms to discuss serious issues of concern in the oil sector, which
included oil theft and illegal bunkering.
The Navy boss also
explained that he made it clear that the CEOs should attend the meeting
in person without representation because of the need to discuss the
issues, which he described as worrisome, but regretted that the request
was ignored.
Jibrin said some of the oil firms had deliberately
left the manifolds of their oil wells open for years without conscious
efforts to close them in spite of the fact that only experts had the
capacity to reopen closed manifolds.
He warned that the Navy
would ensure the arrest of executives of the IOCs who decided to leave
the manifolds of their wells open for years without closing them.
He also threatened to deal with any naval officer found to have been
involved in the criminal theft of the nation’s oil resources in
accordance with the laws guiding the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The CNS warned that the Navy would go beyond accusing the firms to
mentioning names of those suspected to be involved in the theft of the
nation’s resources.
Jibrin wondered why the oil chiefs had not
given the expected cooperation in the bid to seek a concerted solution
to the raging issue of oil theft.
He said the time had come for
the oil firms and the security agencies to seek solutions to the issue
of oil theft in the country.
Jibrin said, “This is the first
meeting I am having with the oil firms to discuss the issue of oil theft
and illegal bunkering. It took us seven and half months to call this
meeting, and specifically, we said we don’t want representation.
“We have a serious challenge and we need the commitment of the CEOs to
discuss oil theft. It has become worrisome that we have not been able to
check the issue of oil wells. It has got to a point that instead of
pointing accusing fingers, we will mention names, including those of the
major stakeholders.
“We cannot pretend that the oil companies
do not have a hand in some of these illegalities; pretending is to allow
it to continue. We will not pretend. I can start by citing some
examples; some companies have left their oil wells opened for years and
have done nothing to close them up. Because of the technical nature of
the manifolds, once they are closed, only the experts can open them. Why
have they been left open for years?”
He added, “I have
pictures here. Why is it that all of us cannot sit down at a round table
and provide a solution? Why are we denting the image of this country?
It has come to a point that we must meet, discuss and provide solutions
to issues pertaining to oil theft.
“Government is worried and
those of us who are agents of the government are also worried. On my
part, if any of my personnel is involved, they will be dealt with
adequately in accordance with the existing law of the Armed Forces.
“I have decided that I will take some steps that if the manifolds are
left open for years and our attention is drawn to the need for it to be
closed, we will look for and start arresting officials of the oil
companies who own that and left them without taking appropriate action.”
He said that the government was taking the issue of oil theft seriously
because of the loss of revenue and the inimical effects of oil theft on
the environment.
Responding on behalf of the firms, the
Chairman, Oil Producer Trading Services, Mr. Ayobami Olubiyi, said that
the companies had also taken steps to curb the threat of oil theft.
He recalled that the Federal Government set up an ad-hoc committee on
the subject, with some funds released to address the pressing issues
some months ago.
He said the men of the Nigerian Navy were involved in securing the operations of the oil firm in the Niger Delta and Lagos.
Olubiyi said, “It is not just the Nigerian Navy but all who have been
supporting our business. And I also want to assure you that concerning
oil theft, we have taken a lot of steps. That is why in the last couple
of months, an ad-hoc committee was set up by the Federal Government to
look into this, and I am aware that some money had been released to help
curtail this situation.
“We will continue to advocate a true
platform; and as you are aware, we have a number of your officers and
men who have been supporting our operations in the Delta, including
Lagos. They have been very professional in the way and manner they carry
out this operation; and together with the CNS, I am sure we will all be
able to work to ensure that we mitigate this very unfortunate situation
in our country today.”
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9/04/2014
Multinationals aiding oil theft in Nigeria – Naval chief
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