The Federal Government has urged security agencies to curb the menace of crude oil theft undermining the oil sector through illegal refiners and pipeline vandalism, declaring war on perpetrators.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, while addressing officers of the 146 Battalion and other security agencies at Bonny Island, Rivers state said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to tackling oil theft which has led to the continuous bleeding of the country’s economy.
Sylva who was on an assessment tour of some illegal refinery sites at the Niger Delta region creek with the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.- Gen. Lucky Irabor, and Group Managing Director, NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari, among other dignitaries, said Buhari had directed that the illegal activities must stop.
The minister said the president has given the security agencies the nod to attack criminals orchestrating the illegal activities.
Addressing officers of the 146 Battalion, Sylva said, “you are here on a mission, I commend you for all the good work you have done our nation depends on this asset to survive , oil and gas is one of the major sustaining asset of the country.
“Unfortunately, we have had a lot of insecurity around oil facilities and pipelines, this can no longer be condoned. Mr President has directed that this must stop.
“You are here as gallant officers to protect these facilities, hence forth we will be working closely with you to ensure that there is zero loss to our production.
“You have done so well so far as the Chief of Defence Staff said, there is still ground to cover, so let us all work together and protect these national assets for the good of all.
“We are here to reclaim this industry for the country because the country has lost so much from the activities of these criminals and government can no longer afford these activities,” the minister added.
