Oil & Energy
Oil Theft: Bayelsa To Set Up Maritime Securty
Worried by the high level of oil theft and pipeline vandalisation especially in the riverine areas of the state, Governor Seriake Dickson, has indicated the intention of his administration to introduce an equivalent of Operation Doo Akpoo, the state security outfit to man oil installations and security of lives and security along the waterway.
Governor Dickson who stated this in Government House, Yenagoa, when the Managing Director of the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Mr Gro Pagano, paid him a courtesy visit decried the alarming increase in oil theft in the Niger Delta region, saying that, the situation was becoming worrisome, as it was having effects on the economy of not only Bayelsa State, but the nation as a whole.
The governor, who condemned acts of pipeline vandalism and oil theft across the country, however, identified insider abuse and inappropriate operational modalities of oil companies as some of the factors responsible for perpetration of the unpatriotic acts.
Reiterating his administration’s zero tolerance for crime and criminality, he disclosed that government will set up the maritime equivalent of Operation Doo Akpoo to man oil installations across the state as well as ensure security of lives and property on the waterways.
“We are going to deploy the maritime equivalent of Operation Doo Akpo in the riverine areas. That means we are going to do what we have done in the upland by building check-points across the creeks with communication gadgets, gunboats and other facilities including more manpower, their training and allowances.
“That is why all of us who are joint stakeholders in the preservation of security, particularly in the areas where you operate, have to come together and work more closely. We are not interested in collecting money from our partners. What we are interested in is a collaborative framework,” Governor Dickson stated.
Lamenting the absence of functional offices of multi-national companies operating in the state, he called for the establishment of such offices, adding that aside boosting the IGR of the state, it would generate employment opportunities for the teeming youths of the state.
According to him, the present administration’s ambitions development plan requires a lot of funds to drive it and stressed that the establishment of befitting offices will equally enhance the aesthetic beauty of the state.
He said,” I’ve always said that we see you people as our development partners particularly Agip, because as you know the bulk of your operations are in Bayelsa. But again, there are contradictions that come with that, and I will not fail to point out the contradiction in terms of the absence of an operational office that befits our contributions to your corporate business.
“If you are here, you will support us in terms of taxes and revenues which your company has been depriving us of, all these years by not having an appropriate corporate presence here. Meanwhile, we need those funds to support our ambitions development drive. If we have money and we are able to meet our responsibilities, we can then work better to create a safer operating environment.’
Governor Dickson also urged the state development partners to collaborate more effectively with government in leveraging the mechanisms that have already been provided by the security trust fund.
Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the delegation, NAOC’s Managing Director, Mr Ciro Autonio Pagano described the current trend and occurrences of oil theft as alarming.
Mr Pagano explained that the team was in the state to hold discussion with government on how best to solve the nagging problem.
Nigeria’s losses due to crude oil theft has been said to be more significant than those of some other members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC).
The Chairman, Senate Ad- hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft, Senator Ned Nwoko, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Nwoko noted with dismay the detrimental impact of the issue, which, he said include economic damage, environmental destruction, and its impact on host communities.
According to him, the theft was not only weakening the Naira, but also depriving the nation of vital revenue needed for infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District described the scale of the theft as staggering, with reports indicating losses of over 200,000 barrels per day.
Nwoko disclosed that the ad hoc committee on Crude Oil Theft, which he chairs, recently had a two-day public hearing on the rampant theft of crude oil through illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism, and the systemic gaps in the regulation and surveillance of the nation’s petroleum resources.
According to him, the public hearing was a pivotal step in addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing the nation.
‘’Nigeria loses billions of dollars annually to crude oil theft. This is severely undermining our economy, weakening the Naira and depriving the nation of vital revenue needed for infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social development.
‘’The scale of this theft is staggering, with reports indicating losses of over 200,000 barrels per day more than some OPEC member nations produce.
‘’This criminal enterprise fuels corruption, funds illegal activities and devastates our environment through spills and pollution.
‘’The public hearing was not just another talk shop; it was a decisive platform to uncover the root causes of crude oil theft, bunkering and pipeline vandalism.
‘’It was a platform to evaluate the effectiveness of existing surveillance, monitoring, and enforcement mechanisms; Identify regulatory and legislative gaps that enable these crimes to thrive.
‘’It was also to engage stakeholders, security agencies, host communities, oil companies, regulators, and experts to proffer actionable solutions; and strengthen legal frameworks to ensure stricter penalties and more efficient prosecution of offenders”, he said.
Nwoko noted that Nigeria’s survival depended
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd. (SNEPCo) has called on Nigerian companies to position themselves strategically to take full advantage of the growing opportunities in upcoming offshore and shallow water oil and gas projects.
The Managing Director, SNEPCO, Ronald Adams, made the call at the 5th Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) Conference, held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, last Thursday.
Adams highlighted the major projects, including Bonga Southwest Aparo, Bonga North, and the Bonga Main Life Extension, as key areas where Nigerian businesses can grow their capacity and increase their involvement.
“Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd. (SNEPCo) says Nigerian companies have a lot to benefit if they are prepared to take advantage of more opportunities in its offshore and shallow water oil and gas projects.
“Projects such as Bonga Southwest Aparo, Bonga North and Bonga Main Life Extension could grow Nigerian businesses and improve their expertise if they applied themselves seriously to executing higher value contracts”, Adams stated.
Adams noted that SNEPCo pioneered Nigeria’s deepwater oil exploration with the Bonga development and has since played a key role in growing local industry capacity.
He emphasized that Nigerian businesses could expand in key areas like logistics, drilling, and the construction of vital equipment such as subsea systems, mooring units, and gas processing facilities.
The SNEPCO boss explained that since production began at the Bonga field in 2005, SNEPCo has worked closely with Nigerian contractors to build systems and develop a skilled workforce capable of delivering projects safely, on time, and within budget both in Nigeria and across West Africa.
According to him, this long-term support has enabled local firms to take on key roles in managing the Bonga Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, which reached a major milestone by producing its one-billion barrel of oil on February 3, 2023.
The Emohua Local Government Area Administrator, Franklin Ajinwo, has pledged to improve electricity distribution in Oduoha Ogbakiri and its environs.
Ajinwo made the pledge recently while playing host in a courtesy visit to the Oduoha Ogbakiri Wezina Council of Chiefs, in his office in Rumuakunde.
He stated that arrangements are underway to enhance available power, reduce frequent outages, and promote steady electricity supply.
The move, he said, was aimed at boosting small and medium-scale businesses in the area.
“The essence of power is not just to have light at night. It’s for those who can use it to enhance their businesses”, he said.
The Administrator, who commended the peaceful nature of Ogbakiri people, urged the Chiefs to continue in promoting peace and stability, saying “meaningful development can only thrive in a peaceful environment”.
He also charged the Chiefs to protect existing infrastructure while promising to address the challenges faced by the community.
Earlier, the Oduoha Ogbakiri Wezina Council of Chiefs, led by HRH Eze Goodluck Mekwa Eleni Ekenta XV, expressed gratitude to the Administrator over his appointment and pledged their support to his administration.
The chiefs highlighted challenges facing the community to include incessant power outage, need for new transformers, and the completion of Community Secondary School, Oduoha.
The visit underscored the community’s expectations from the LGA administration.
With Ajinwo’s assurance of enhancing electricity distribution and promoting development, the people of Oduoha Ogbakiri said they look forward to a brighter future.
By: King Onunwor