Aiteo, Oando blame host communities for oil theft, pipeline vandalism
Senate vows to unravel shady issues in petroleum sector
Multinational oil giants, Aiteo and Oando, have blamed host communities in the oil-rich Niger Delta region for the recurring incidences of oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
The officers of the oil firms disclosed this yesterday before the Julius Pondi-led House of Representatives Committee on Environment probing into oil theft and pipeline vandalism and its effects on the environment in oil-producing states.
Oando’s Team Lead, Philip Akuduro, said the increasing appetite of host communities to pilfer crude from the pipelines through illegal connections and damage to oil installations was responsible for the high level oil spillage and its resultant effects on the people of the area.
Aiteo’s Chief Operating Officer, Ewarezi Useh, who stressed the need for a cordial working relationship between oil firms and their host communities, blamed the activities of “vested interests” for the unfortunate development.
He said activities of oil vandals were responsible for the drastic fall of production to 700,000 bpd in 2018 until recently when the situation improved due to combined efforts of security activities and stakeholders to nip the menace in the bud.
However, members of the committee drawn from the Niger Delta region faulted the officials of the oil firms over the accusation. Pondi, who represents Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, was particularly piqued at the use of the words, ‘with increasing appetite and capacities for theft,’ used by the Oando official.
He called for the immediate withdrawal of such language, which was promptly adhered to.
RELATEDLY, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, Sumaila Kawu, has promised to tackle the persistent lack of transparency in Nigeria’s petroleum industry, which he likens to a “cabal.”
Kawu, who spoke with newsmen, yesterday, promised to shed light on the sector’s operations and engage the public in meaningful dialogue. “Our first step will be to study the current situation and gather information from relevant agencies,” he stated.
He, however, expressed his determination to implement measures that would stabilise the petroleum sector and address the legitimate concerns of Nigerians.
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