- Murtala Muhammad reported the destruction of over 8,000 illegal refineries and 5,800 oil pipeline connections in Nigeria within six months
- NNPCL aims to increase crude oil production to 3 million barrels per day, contingent on collaboration among all stakeholders involved
Murtala Muhammad, Deputy Manager of the Command and Control Centre of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), has revealed that more than 8,000 illegal refineries have been destroyed in Nigeria within the last six months.
During a stakeholders’ engagement session in Abuja on Saturday, Muhammad also reported the discovery and destruction of 5,800 illegal oil pipeline connections in the same period.
In a presentation on crude oil theft and its negative impact on Nigeria’s economy, Muhammad highlighted that oil theft and pipeline vandalism continue to threaten crude production in the country. Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, and Abia were identified as hot spots for these illegal activities.
Muhammad stated, “Over 8,000 illegal refineries and 5,800 illegal oil pipeline connections were detected and destroyed within the last six months.”
During the session, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer (CCCO), Mr. Olufemi Soneye, expressed optimism about increasing crude oil production to 3 million barrels per day, up from the current 1.7 million.
He attributed this potential increase to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political will and directives to relevant security agencies to combat oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
Soneye added, “Three million barrels of oil production per day is achievable in Nigeria if all stakeholders work in synergy, including security agencies, oil companies, and host communities.”
He also recalled that oil production had dropped to 900,000 barrels daily due to rampant oil theft. Still, the involvement of private security agencies and intensified military efforts have since improved the situation.
“At that time, we felt Nigeria was in trouble regarding oil theft, but the intensity of the fight against it has relieved our concerns,” he said.
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