By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) announced the discovery and confiscation of products from 63 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta over the past week. The company also uncovered 19 illegal pipeline connections during the same period.
These developments were revealed in a documentary by the NNPCL on Wednesday, which highlighted ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the region. The crackdown comes at a time of increasing frustration over the delayed operations of the Port Harcourt Refinery, managed by the NNPCL.
The refinery, located in Rivers State, has yet to commence operations despite repeated assurances from the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the NNPCL. Originally slated to start production in early August, the refinery’s launch has been postponed multiple times, sparking concerns over another failed promise.
NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari had previously assured the Senate that the Port Harcourt Refinery would begin production in August, following delays in the completion of other refineries in Kaduna and Warri. However, with August already at its midpoint, the refinery remains inactive, and the NNPCL has yet to provide an explanation for the latest delay.
Amid these concerns, the NNPCL highlighted its recent successes in tackling crude oil theft. Between August 3 and 9, the company recorded 177 incidents related to illegal refining and pipeline vandalism across various states, including Bayelsa, Rivers, Abia, Imo, and Delta. The operations led to 17 vehicular arrests, the confiscation of 15 wooden boats carrying stolen crude, and the discovery of stolen crude in reservoirs.
Sixteen suspects were apprehended in connection with the illegal activities, as the NNPCL continues its efforts to curb the impact of crude oil theft on Nigeria’s economy. The country’s crude oil production has struggled to meet its OPEC+ quota, hovering around 1.3 million barrels per day, well below the 1.5 million barrels per day target.
The ongoing challenges in the oil sector have prompted calls for greater accountability, with prominent figures like billionaire Tony Elumelu urging the government and security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible for large-scale oil theft. Elumelu highlighted that oil theft continues to drain significant resources, contributing to the divestment of international oil companies from Nigeria.
These issues have also fueled tensions between Aliko Dangote, government officials, and international oil companies over the supply of crude oil to Dangote’s refinery in Ibeju-Lekki.
