The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of Nigeria Limited, said it has started repair works on the illegal tapping point discovered on the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) in Nonwa-Uedume Community in Tai local government area of Rivers State.
It would be recalled that a 2km illegal pipeline said to have been operated on Shell’s TNP for over seven years with capacity to load two tankers of 33,000 liters of crude oil per night, was discovered in Nonwa-Uesume.
A team led by the Chairman of Tai LGA, Mr. Mbakpone Okpe, alongside security operatives including personnel of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services and Tai local security task force, as well as NNPCL’s contractors, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, and Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited made the discovery.
Abimbola Essien-Nelson, the Media Relations Manager, Shell Companies in Nigeria, while reacting to the development, charged members of the public to report any illegal activities around SPDC joint venture oil installations to the company or relevant government agencies.
Essien-Nelson, who confirmed reports of a leak on the illegal tapping point, said a Joint Investigation Team has inspected the scene and the company was awaiting the JIV report.
“The SPDC confirms receiving report of a leak from an illegal connection point on the TNP at Nonwa-Uedume Community in Rivers State. A Joint Investigation Team, led by industry regulator, immediately went to visit the illegal connection site for investigation and we are awaiting the signed-off report of the JIV.
“The illegal connection point on the SPDC joint venture pipeline is also undergoing repairs.
“Meanwhile, SPDC seeks the support of stakeholders including community people to report any illegal activities around SPDC joint venture oil installations to SPDC or relevant government agencies”, Essien-Nelson said.
