The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation on Wednesday deplored the recent increase in attacks on crude oil and gas pipelines, saying it was adversely affecting the nation’s economy.
This was contained in a statement in Abuja by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Mr Ohi Alegbe.
Alegbe said the nation lost about 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day to acts of vandalism on its pipeline.
He added that the sudden increase in the activities of saboteurs around the Trans-Forcados Pipeline and the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline in the last six weeks was shocking.
He said the Escravos-Lagos Gas Pipeline was vandalised with four breaks over the weekend.
“The act had robbed the nation of several billions of naira to the detriment of the national economy.
“NNPC loses between 50,000 and 60,000 barrels of crude oil and condensate on a daily basis to pipeline breaks,” he said.
NAN reports that at $53 per barrel, Nigeria loses about $3.2m (about N534.3m) per day to oil theft.
The NNPC spokesman said there appeared to be a syndicate behind the economic sabotage.
Alegbe stated that most of the power plants, including those in Calabar, Alaoji, Omoku and Olorunsogo had been connected to gas.
He said all the efforts of the Federal Government to construct unprecedented massive gas pipeline infrastructure were being sabotaged by pipeline vandals.
He noted that it was unfortunate that between January and early February 2015 alone, the Trans-Forcados Crude Pipeline was attacked and vandalised four times.
Alegbe said none of NNPC’s gas pipelines had been able to run two straight days without being brought down.
He added that the corporation was exploring a number of options on how to tackle the menace of pipeline vandalism.
He said the options ranged from an aggressive community engagement to installation of technological gadgets to stave off the vandals.
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Even after paying Asari Dokubo N1billion monthly we still suffer this loss. Well its part of the fresh air.
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