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 NNPC 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 NNPC 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 NNPC 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.
SOURCE: DailyPost
