The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has discovered 122 illegal oil refining in the last seven days in the Niger Delta region.
According to a documentary released by the NNPCL on Tuesday,
the firm said a filling station was sealed for selling illegally refined fuel
to motorists in Akwa Ibom State.
The report noted that 65 illegal pipeline connections were
uncovered and removed within the past week in Rivers and other states in the
oil-rich Niger Delta.
“310 incidents were recorded between May 18 and 24 across
the Niger Delta region,” the NNPCL disclosed while reeling out its efforts in
fighting oil theft and vandalism
It was learned that the filling station selling illegally
refined fuel was uncovered at Grey Creek in Akwa Ibom State.
Details of the report showed that the 122 illegal refineries
were spotted at Tomble II, III, IV, Umuajuloke, Rivers State as well as
Oporomor III, Eduwini, and Ajatiton in Bayelsa State.
Similarly, vandalized well heads were reportedly discovered
in Tomble IV, Rivers and Egbema in Imo State.
Recall that The NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele
Kyari, said the country needs to tackle oil theft to boost crude oil production
and revenue.
“No one is going to put money into oil production when he
knows the production will not get to the market.
“Within the last two years, we removed over 5,800 illegal
connections from our pipelines. We took down over 6,000 illegal refineries.
“You simply cannot get people to put money until you solve
that problem,” he stated.