The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has visited traditional rulers in Bayelsa State to seek their support to end pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta.
Lokpobiri said the move aligned with the Federal Government’s commitment to foster cooperation with key stakeholders in the oil industry and address the persistent challenges of pipeline vandalism, crude theft and security uncertainties in oil communities across the region.
The Federal Government and oil sector operators have repeatedly blamed the drop in Nigeria’s oil earnings on the incessant cases of pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta.
On December 25, 2023, The PUNCH exclusively reported that Nigeria lost about N289.6bn crude oil revenue in November 2023, following a plunge in the country’s oil output in that month, when compared to what it pumped in the preceding month of October.
The report stated that Nigeria produced 41,867,775 million barrels of crude (excluding condensates) in October, but this plunged to 37,508,971 barrels in November, representing a decline of 4,358,804.
The drop in output was attributed to oil theft, and in a bid to halt the menace, Lokpobiri, according to a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by his Special Adviser, Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, had to visit various traditional rulers.
The statement read in part, “One of these meetings took place with the Pere of Ekpetiama clan and Chairman of the Traditional Rulers’ Council of Bayelsa State, King Bubaraye Dakolo.
“In this engaging encounter, the minister stressed the imperative of collective efforts in curbing pipeline vandalism and oil theft. He called on His Royal Majesty to utilise his esteemed position to rally other traditional rulers in the state for a unified front in addressing these challenges.
“Recognising the crucial role traditional leaders play in the socio-economic fabric of the region, the minister emphasised the need for a joint commitment to securing the oil infrastructure.”
Lokpobiri extended his courtesy visit to the King of Nembe Kingdom and former Minister of Petroleum, Edmund Daukoru.
“The discussions during this meeting were focused on the importance of collaborative action in ensuring the security of pipelines and combating illicit activities in the oil sector,” the statement added.
In another engagement, Lokpobiri met with the Pere of Kumbowei Kingdom, Boloye Embareba.
The discussions with Embareba revolved around the need for collaboration between the government and traditional rulers to effectively address security challenges and enhance crude production.
This ministry stated that the visits underscored the Federal Government’s objective of increasing crude production by actively engaging with traditional rulers to build a strong and enduring alliance with local leaders and fostering a secure environment conducive to sustainable growth in the oil industry.
