By Moses Patience Chat
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has called on major oil producing companies in Nigeria to consider the introduction of advance cargo declaration on crude oil export as a measure to discourage the theft of Nigerian crude oil.
This was revealed by the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, while speaking with members of the Oil Producers Trade Section of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Thursday in Lagos, following their courtesy visit to the Commission.
Bawa expressed optimism that advance cargo declaration of crude export with unique tracking will not only deter the theft of Nigerian crude oil at the export terminals but also discourage off-takers, making them unwilling to accept such cargoes.
“We need to have an advance Cargo declaration on our crude oil export, because we found out that there is theft even at the terminals. Unfortunately, IOCs like yours resisted that there is nothing like that, it is impossible to happen.
“But I believe we have conducted a case here at the EFCC where we were able to establish that crude that was taken is different from the one that was discharged and we keep on wondering, what is happening? So, that means there is a problem.
“And I believe you know what advance cargo declaration means, you have to declare in advance what your cargo is carrying and then you will be given the unique cargo tracking note on all the exports that you are making. No cargo that is from Nigeria should be accepted if it doesn’t have the tracking note”, he said.
The EFCC Boss also explained that the measure was a part of the recommendations of a Committee that investigated the theft of Nigerian Crude in 2014 but was unfortunately never implemented. He challenged the oil chiefs to revisit the recommendation, as it could provide a silver lining to addressing the challenge of oil theft in the country.
He also expressed regret that the total shutdown of government-owned Nigerian refineries had created a vacuum which illegal refiners were trying to fill through the production of adulterated Automotive Gas Oil.
The EFCC Boss noted that, were the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited refineries to be operating even at 10% of capacity, it would have helped in reducing demand pressures, while the illegal refiners would have less business.
Bawa further assured IOCs that the Commission is committed and willing to collaborate with all stakeholders within and outside the country to bring an end to the oil theft challenge.
“We are always open, part of our core values here is collaboration, We can’t do this thing alone and that is why we are always at the forefront of reaching out to stakeholders both within and outside the country to ensure that we share information, we share intelligence and collaboratively we are taking it to the next level.” he concluded.
EFCC Calls for Advance Cargo Declaration to Curb Oil Theft in Nigeria
By Moses Patience Chat
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has called on major oil producing companies in Nigeria to consider the introduction of advance cargo declaration on crude oil export as a measure to discourage the theft of Nigerian crude oil.
This was revealed by the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, while speaking with members of the Oil Producers Trade Section of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Thursday in Lagos, following their courtesy visit to the Commission.
Bawa expressed optimism that advance cargo declaration of crude export with unique tracking will not only deter the theft of Nigerian crude oil at the export terminals but also discourage off-takers, making them unwilling to accept such cargoes.
“We need to have an advance Cargo declaration on our crude oil export, because we found out that there is theft even at the terminals. Unfortunately, IOCs like yours resisted that there is nothing like that, it is impossible to happen.
“But I believe we have conducted a case here at the EFCC where we were able to establish that crude that was taken is different from the one that was discharged and we keep on wondering, what is happening? So, that means there is a problem.
“And I believe you know what advance cargo declaration means, you have to declare in advance what your cargo is carrying and then you will be given the unique cargo tracking note on all the exports that you are making. No cargo that is from Nigeria should be accepted if it doesn’t have the tracking note”, he said.
The EFCC Boss also explained that the measure was a part of the recommendations of a Committee that investigated the theft of Nigerian Crude in 2014 but was unfortunately never implemented. He challenged the oil chiefs to revisit the recommendation, as it could provide a silver lining to addressing the challenge of oil theft in the country.
He also expressed regret that the total shutdown of government-owned Nigerian refineries had created a vacuum which illegal refiners were trying to fill through the production of adulterated Automotive Gas Oil.
The EFCC Boss noted that, were the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited refineries to be operating even at 10% of capacity, it would have helped in reducing demand pressures, while the illegal refiners would have less business.
Bawa further assured IOCs that the Commission is committed and willing to collaborate with all stakeholders within and outside the country to bring an end to the oil theft challenge.
“We are always open, part of our core values here is collaboration, We can’t do this thing alone and that is why we are always at the forefront of reaching out to stakeholders both within and outside the country to ensure that we share information, we share intelligence and collaboratively we are taking it to the next level.” he concluded.