The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Wednesday lamented the growing incidence of pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta saying in 2015 alone, there were 3,000 of such incidents translating to over 643 million litres or N51.28 billion.
Between 2010 and 2015, the NNPC said Nigeria recorded 18, 000 of such incidences.
Group Managing Director GMD of the corporation, Maikanti Baru stated this when he visited the Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Muhammadu Gana in Abuja.
Seeking greater collaboration with the NSCDC, Mr Baru said 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.
“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.
Baru said the NNPC recognizes the importance of the NSCDC “being a grassroots paramilitary agency much closer to our facilities than any of the security agencies”, noting that under his watch, the corporation would effectively collaborate with the core to safeguard critical energy assets.
On his part, CG Gana 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.