Nigeria Lost N51.28bn To Pipeline Vandalism In 2015 – Nnpc

SAN FRANCISCO, August 24, (THEWILL) – The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has decried the growing spate of pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta, noting that there were 3,000 of such incident in 2015 alone which translates to over 643 million litres or N51.28 billion.

Speaking when he visited the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Abdullahi Muhammadu Gana, in Abuja, the NNPC Group Managing Director, GMD, Maikanti Baru stated that Nigeria recorded 18, 000 of such incidence between 2010 and 2015.

He stated that between January and May 2016, no fewer than 1, 447 incidents have been recorded leading to a loss of 109 million litres of petroleum products and 560, 000 barrels of crude oil to refineries.

Baru therefore advocated greater collaboration between the NNPC and the NSCDC.

According to him, “Domestic natural gas supply to power is equally impacted with estimated drop of about 50 percent resulting to significant power outage.

“Petroleum products supply and distribution pipelines have also suffered huge products losses with attendant cost of repairs. For example, over 3,000 vandalism incidents were recorded every year from 2010 to 2015. In 2015 alone, pipeline losses of products volume of over 643 million litres amounting to N51.28 billion were incurred”, he disclosed.

The NNPC boss noted that the corporation recognizes the importance of the NSCDC “being a grassroot paramilitary agency much closer to our facilities than any of the security agencies”, adding that under his watch, the corporation would effectively collaborate with the core to safeguard critical energy assets.

On his part, the NSCDC boss expressed the readiness of the corps to continue to discharge her mandate, saying the nation cannot afford to incur further losses as a result of the activities of organized criminal gangs.

Recalling the loss of some of his personnel in the creeks of the Niger Delta, Gana said the NSCDC would not be detered by such attacks.