About 58 illegal oil points have been discovered so far since the operation to end oil theft on the waterways of Delta and Bayelsa states began
Ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo, said this in a press briefing at Oporoza on Sunday where he also gave an update on the recent discovery of a 4km illegal crude oil pipeline in the Forcados area of Delta State.
“I think we have found over 58 points that have been tapped in both Delta and Bayelsa states,” he noted.
According to him, with this breakthrough, stakeholders in the region are optimistic that the war against crude oil theft will be won.
Tompolo also commended the effort of the military and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited for collaborating with him on the operation, promising to do everything possible to bring the menace to a halt.
You know, we are doing this work together with security agencies. We are only providing intelligence for the security people to assist to do the work. So, everybody – both NNPC and others– we are working together in a very good spirit now,” Tompolo said.
The major problem is that the aquatic life of the area is gone. We are doing everything within our powers together with the traditional rulers and everyone to see that – with the help of the Nigerian Navy, Army DSS, and everybody – we reduce this to the barest minimum so that our people can survive after this time.”
Sunday’s comment came on the heels of another uncovered illegal oil connection from Forcados Terminal that operated for nine years.
The NNPCL Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, disclosed this on Tuesday at the Senate’s joint committees on Gas and Petroleum (Upstream and Downstream).
“Oil theft in the country has been going on for over 22 years but the dimension and rate it assumed in recent times is unprecedented,” Kyari said.
He added the Brass, Forcados, and Bonny terminals were all practically doing zero production.
“The combined effect is that you have lost 600,000 barrels per day when you do a reality test,” he noted.
In another development, it was revealed that the Nigerian Navy and Tantita Security Services, a firm operated by Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) arrested an oil bunkering vessel arrested with stolen crude oil aboard in Escravos area of Delta State.
The vessel’s destination was Ghana.
The vessel was arrested last Thursday, with seven crew members close to Escravos in Warri South West Local government area of the state.
At the point of arrest, about 600 to 650 cubic metres of illegally lifted crude oil in five compartments was said to be on board the vessel with registration number L85 B9.50.
Investigation revealed that the arrested Dutch vessel, sold to a Nigerian, had been variously, “used for moving crude oil illegally for years,” disclosing that it was scheduled to take the stolen crude to Tema in Ghana.