By Patience Chat Moses
Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and CNL, (NNPCL/CNL) JV has stated that it is aware of a report in one of the online media platforms blaming international oil companies (IOCs), communities and other stakeholders for the oil theft that has hindered the growth of the oil industry.
The oil company noted that Chevron and another IOC were specifically mentioned in the report allegedly attributed to the Chairman of the House of Representatives ad hoc committee set up to investigate crude oil theft.
However, CNL in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday, refuted the allegations saying it is “untrue, incorrect, and made without any basis” adding that it is a firm committed to supporting the collaborative efforts to prevent oil theft and pipeline vandalism in its area of operation.
In the statement, the General Manager on Policy, Government and Public Affairs, CNL, Esimaje Brikinn, assured that the Company is committed to working with government agencies and others to prevent oil theft and its impact on the environment was recently commended by the Special Investigation Panel on Oil Theft/Losses in Nigeria set up by the Federal Government during their visit to CNL’s operations.
“CNL affirms illegal bunkering and oil theft in the Niger Delta region has negatively impacted CNL’s operation and has devastating effects on the nation’s economy and the environment in the Niger Delta region.
“CNL continues to monitor the environment in its areas of operations and report any suspected illegal activity and breaches to the relevant Government Security Forces and regulatory agencies,” the statement read in part.
