The Federal Government (FG) has stepped up its probe into the massive crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, saying that those found guilty will be prosecuted.
The FG further disclosed that the NNPC Limited was also working with security agencies and the private firm contracted to carry out pipeline surveillance in the oil-rich region.
Recall that in August, it was reported that the FG 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.
Within two months after the contract was awarded, Ekpemupolo announced the discovery of at least 58 illegal points in Delta and Bayelsa states where crude oil was being stolen.
The former leader of the militant group, Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), told journalists recently in Delta State that a 4km illegal oil pipeline was discovered in the Forcados area of the state.
“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,” he reportedly stated.
The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC Limited, Garba-Deen Muhammad, who stated this, assured that the culprits from the discoveries by Tompolo would be prosecuted.
“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. It is the law itself”, Muhammed said.
He stated further that the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), NNPC, Mele Kyari had earlier stayed that the oil firm had embarked on a series of interventions to tackle the crime.
“I’m happy to say that the interventions that we have seen in terms of the security measures we have taken, in collaboration with the government security agencies, with the private surveillance and security contractors, and the investments that we have done, we believe that in the next couple of days we will be able to bring back the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP)”, Kyari had said.
The TNP has been shut down for several months due to crude oil theft on the line.
Kyari continued that “we will also restore production into the Forcados Terminal. That way we are sure that we can see at least 400,000 barrels coming into space. And as we continue to progress with security intervention, we will be able to bring back the other production facilities.
“There are a number of things we are doing, including alternative evacuation processes. Until we are able to secure the lines and restore their integrity, there are certain lines that we will not bring back into production.
“So ultimately, our aim is to get back the production and it is not out of control. We are getting back and you will see what will happen. Our security agencies are doing a great job on it”.