Militancy, oil theft account for 1,447 pipeline attacks in 2016 – NNPC GMD

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, recorded 1,447 incidences of pipeline vandalism across the country in 2016 alone.

The incidences, according to the national oil company, resulted in the loss of millions of litres of the products worth billions of naira.

This was disclosed by the NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru, when he paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin in his office.

Speaking during the visit, Baru said: “In 2015, Nigeria lost 643 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at N51.3 billion through pipeline vandalism alone”.

According to him, the volume of products lost through vandalism of oil and gas infrastructure alone underscored the need for stakeholders especially security agencies to devise more effective strategies to address the menace.

He however acknowledged the efforts of security agencies at addressing the menace.

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Continuing, Baru said the persistence of oil thieves and saboteurs was affecting even the 2016 budget implementation.

“The supply and distribution of Nigeria’s oil and gas resources remain critical to the survival of our economy but it is saddening to note that these critical national assets have become targets of vandalism and sabotage.

“The budget plan of the Federal Government is grossly affected as a result of the development because of the shortage presently estimated at 700,000 barrels per day. “The gas to power projections of government is also being hampered due to the activities of the vandals.

“In 2015 alone, pipeline losses of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in volume of 643 million litres valued at about N51.3bn was recorded, while 1,447 incidences of vandalism was reported so far in 2016’’.

By Timothy Enietan-Matthews

 

 

 

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