The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has disclosed that its fight against oil theft is yielding significant results, as it uncovered 12 illegal refineries in one week and arrested 2,849 suspects involved in crude oil theft.
Murtala Mohammed, Deputy Manager of the Command and Control Center, Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), made this known during a presentation titled “An Insight into NNPCL’s War Against Crude Oil Theft” at a workshop in Abuja.
He revealed that 1,467 trucks laden with stolen crude have been confiscated, while the company has successfully repaired 3,100 vandalized pipelines.
Impact on Oil Production
Mohammed stated that crude oil theft has significantly impacted Nigeria’s production capacity, currently standing at 1.7 million barrels per day. He noted that stolen crude is often refined locally or exported illegally, affecting national revenue and economic stability.
NNPCL's Role in National Economy
NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye emphasized the need to protect the national oil assets, warning that any financial setback for NNPCL could affect revenue distribution to states through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
“If NNPC does not transfer money to the consolidated fund monthly, governors will not have money to pay salaries,” Soneye warned.
He further stated that NNPCL is a key contributor to Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings, adding that if the company fails to remit dollars to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the country would face forex shortages.
NNPCL’s Contribution to Power Supply
Soneye highlighted NNPCL’s commitment to power generation, revealing that the company:
- Operates the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant
- Co-owns Afam VI and Okpai 1 & 2 power plants, with a combined installed capacity of 1,132 megawatts.
He stressed that these facilities play a crucial role in ensuring stable electricity supply to homes, industries, and businesses.
Call for Public Awareness Against Vandalism
As part of efforts to curb oil theft and vandalism, NNPCL has engaged Kannywood artists to create awareness through skits and media campaigns.
“Now, imagine if these critical assets were damaged or destroyed by vandals – entire communities would be plunged into darkness, businesses would suffer, and the economy would take a devastating hit,” Soneye said.
He urged Nigerians to support NNPCL’s efforts to safeguard national energy assets, emphasizing that protecting these assets is vital to national stability.
Commendation for Security Agencies
Soneye expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari, and Chief of Defence Staff Lt.-Gen. Christopher Musa for their support in securing oil facilities.
He credited the military and law enforcement agencies for their dedication to combating oil theft, stating that strategic actions by NNPCL have led to “unprecedented results” in the sector.
Conclusion
NNPCL’s ongoing efforts to curb oil theft and pipeline vandalism are critical to Nigeria’s economic stability. The company has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting national assets, enhancing security, and sustaining revenue generation for the benefit of all Nigerians.
