The Association of Nigeria Refinery, Petroleum Marketers (ANRPM) has called for collaboration from the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and the administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dennis Otuaro, on eliminating oil theft in the country for better production and financial growth.
ANRPM listed youth restiveness, irregularities in the oil sectors, exploitation, hoarding of products, sharp practice, artificial scarcity, adulteration of product and bunkering as part of oil sector challenges
The National Coordinator, Operation/Administration of the association, Dr Edison C. Nwadiaro, made the call while addressing journalists in Abuja, on Sunday, stating that no fewer than 6,438 illegal refineries have been discovered in the Niger-Delta region.
He also explained that ANRPM’s National Board of Trustee has officially announced his appointment as the National Coordinator (head of operations/ administrations) in charge of the 36 states including FCT to regulate all the irregularities in the oil sector.
Nwadiaro asserted that during his oversight re-visit in the oil producing areas in the Niger-Delta with his team, “We discovered that Nigeria will find it difficult to meet its production target because of the scale of oil theft on its pipeline across the country.
“Reports have it that the extent of damage found is up to 4,880 illegal connection points along 5,000km of pipeline.
“More of such connections points have not been recovered along with 6,438 illegal refineries in the Niger-Delta region despite all the security agencies available in the region.
“It is obvious that with all the integrity issues with our pipeline and our facilities, we have the capacity to eradicate the crude theft.”
In 2023 Nigeria lost about N2.3 trillion in oil theft, higher than the projected revenue from crude oil and gas sales in 2024 of about N1 trillion. Nigeria spent N34.47 billion between 2021 and the first half of 2022 to fix damaged pipelines across the country.
“I and my team have come to stop all the menace in the sector by asking for pardon for the past act of the bunkerers on their guilt of crimes. The amnesty programme is designed and established to tackle the problem of youth restiveness in the region.
“We plead with the NSA and the administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme to work in collaboration with ANRPMs. This is geared towards fostering strong support for this administration to see more economic growth through eliminating of oil theft, youth restiveness irregularities in the oil sectors, exploitation, hoarding of products, sharp practice, artificial scarcity, adulteration of product and bunkering.
“This organisation has put down competent development training programme of our workforce, consisting of 15 persons in each of the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria. We are out collectively and responsibly to sustain the development of our beloved country and its Gross Domestic product (GDP).”
The former Niger Delta Zonal Coordinator listed other executives as Ambassador Dr Success Ebierebo Motajo, Women Leader/Welfare; Ambassador Joshua Michell Eroton, Director Administration; Barr Ndukwe Sam Obu, Director-General, Operation; Mrs Magbalene Ofulue, Administrative Manager; Comrade Chimezia Ochia, Finance and Mr Lucky Henshaw Koko, Supervisor.
He said State Coordinators are Comrade Chikazie Agbara (Abia), Mr Ozeke Frank Kemefa (Bayelsa), Comrade Jack Telema (Rivers), Mr Greg Nsikak Sam (Akwa-Ibom), Honourable Amaechi Emmanuel Adibuo (Imo), Ambassador George Amaechi Igweshi (Enugu), Mr Eniola Thomas Olugbenga (Lagos), Mr Abdulhazeez Salifu Amedu (Edo), Mr Adepegba Adegbenro Femi (Ogun), Mr Charles Chimenem Chimda (Cross River), Mr Ewonowo Jose Ola (Ondo) and Oluwafemi Emmanuel Eniola (Ekiti), among others.
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