The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has formally reached out to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to assist it in combating the pervasive issue of crude oil theft in the country.
In an official statement, Mr. Olufemi O. Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd. said that Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the company, articulated this appeal during an interactive session with the EFCC’s Director, Mr. Ola Olukoyede.
The meeting took place at the NNPC Towers in Abuja on Monday.
Addressing the alarming prevalence of corruption and the challenges posed by crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, Kyari emphasized the urgency of the matter.
He asserted that crude oil theft stood as one of Nigeria’s most significant economic crimes, warranting the attention and collaboration of the EFCC.
Kyari underscored NNPC Ltd.’s proactive measures to combat this menace, citing the deactivation of 6,409 illegal refineries and the disconnection of 4,846 illegal pipelines from the company’s infrastructure in the Niger Delta region.
He lamented the persistent emergence of such illegal connections despite efforts to eradicate them.
Highlighting the sophisticated nature of these illicit activities, Kyari emphasized the need for concerted efforts to curb crude oil theft, which severely undermines Nigeria’s oil production and economy.
Addressing concerns regarding corruption within NNPC Ltd., Kyari emphasized the company’s commitment to uphold ethical standard and implement stringent measures to prevent corrupt practices.
He clarified that many allegations of corruption were unfounded or outdated.
In response, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of EFCC, commended NNPC Ltd.’s dedication to promote ethics and a code of conduct within its operations.
However, he urged NNPC management to ensure that ethical codes were complemented by effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to deter misconduct.
The interactive session, initiated by Mr. Mele Kyari, provided a platform for constructive dialogue and collaboration between NNPC Ltd. and EFCC in addressing the critical issue of crude oil theft and enhancing integrity within the petroleum sector.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
