GEJs Transformation Continues: ‘Nigeria Losing N16bn To Oil Theft Monthly’— Sep 3, 2014 | The chief of naval staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibril, yesterday disclosed that the Nigerian Navy has drastically reduced the volume of oil stolen monthly from 2.6 million barrels valued N47.190billion in January this year to about 900,000 barrels valued N16.335billion by June. This represents a decline of 65 per cent in the amount lost by the public treasury to oil theft over a period of five months. Vice Admiral Jibril made the disclosure while receiving the new group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Joseph Dawha, in his office where both agreed to work together to ensure oil theft becomes unattractive to those doing it. The menace of oil theft has become a great threat to the public treasury so much so that President Goodluck Jonathan had to literally reduce the terms of reference of any naval chief to “stopping the oil theft”. Jibril stated that the Navy on his watch has recorded successes in the war against oil theft, while welcoming the NNPC helmsman to his office. “In the last several months, I can safely say that we have recorded huge success particularly in respect to oil theft and piracy. In January, for instance, we lost about 2.6 million barrels of crude oil to theft but in June, based on the record we have here, it has dropped to about 900, 000 barrels of crude oil. “Apart from the fact that some people steal our crude oil and take it outside the shores of this country, we have Nigerians getting involved in this illegality by establishing their illegal refineries,” he said. He assured the new team of the NNPC of maximum cooperation of the Navy in the area of maritime security. “It is our fervent hope that we continue to work in harmony, and strengthen the existing relationship between NNPC and the Nigerian Navy. On our part, we will support you and try and do our utmost best to ensure we maintain maritime security that will allow commercial activities unhindered. “The consequences of some of these activities are environmental pollution, apart from depriving the nation of its revenue, and, of course, it paints Nigeria in a bad light internationally, as if we are all criminals; this we must check immediately.” He continued: “We identified four key areas that we are challenged in respect to maritime security starting with oil theft, illegal bunkering, piracy and then poaching, including illegal fishing in our waters. “We have effective patrols around ships and anchorage positions, and today I can say that we have checked piracy within Lagos waters to the barest minimum. Piracy is not prevalent again. I want to believe that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the NNPC will attest to the fact that crude oil theft is on the decline”. Speaking further, the naval chief identified the limitations of the force in the course of their duties and urged those involved to address them. “For us to be able to do our job well, there are some other parameters that are required of some other agencies that work with us; a classical example is evacuation of arrested vessels and oil tankers. “Once a ship is arrested one expects that the content is returned to either the nearest IOC tank farm – if it’s crude oil, for instance, just products should be returned. With respect to prosecution, one expects that a certificate be issued on returning the product which is then documented and given to the prosecution agency which can also be tendered in court as evidence.” Earlier in his address, the NNPC chief disclosed that his team was at the Navy headquarters to appreciate the naval authorities “for collaborative relationship that has existed between our two organizations” and to “strengthen the close ties between the Nigerian Navy and NNPC for the socio-economic growth and stability of our fatherland”. “Peace and security are essential ingredients for growth and prosperity of our nation. The Nigerian Navy is a major platform for realizing that noble objective, particularly in the maritime domain of our dear country,” he said. “The Nigerian Navy has been of tremendous support to NNPC and its partners in fostering and ensuring secure environment for our personnel, facilities and operations across the country. This is largely attributable to your untiring support and leadership.” The FMOH has confirmed 2 new cases of Ebola disease today in Port Harcourt. Total number of Ebola cases in Nigeria is now 18. Of these, 4 are in Port Harcourt. There has NOT been any new case in Lagos in the last 5days. Nationwide, there are now 8 survivors, 6 deaths; 4 cases are in isolation under medical care.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Sep 2014 05:23:36 +0000
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