The Federal Government on Wednesday said it is committed to stopping the economic degradation caused by pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft among others in the different areas of the country.
This was disclosed by the Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva on Wednesday at Bonny Island, Rivers State while addressing officers of the 146 Battalion and other security agencies in the fight against oil theft.
Sylva, who was on an inspection of some illegal refinery sites at the Niger Delta region creek said President Muhammadu Buhari had directed that the illegal activities must stop.
He revealed that the President had called for an assessment to know the level of devastation done and also ensure ways to curb the illegal activities.
The minister, “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, henceforth 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.”
The minister said the final solution to the problem required the involvement of the community, the government security and the operating companies.
According to him, the government was determined to stop the illegal activities “because the country has lost so much from the activities of these criminals and government can no longer afford these activities.”
Also speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen.Lucky Irabor, said the assessment became necessary because the economic losses witnessed in the country were so huge.
Irabor maintained that the security agencies would do all it takes to get the criminals and their sponsors.
