The Federal Government has stepped up its probe into the massive crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, as all those found guilty are going to face prosecution, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has said.
It said the oil company was also working with security agencies and the private firm contracted to carry out pipeline surveillance in the oil-rich region. In August, it was reported that the Federal Government awarded a pipeline surveillance contract worth N48bn per annum to a firm run by Government Ekpemupolo, popularly called Tompolo, to curb the massive oil theft in the Niger Delta.
Within two months after the contract was awarded, Ekpemupolo announced the discovery of at least 58 illegal points in Delta and Bayelsa states where crude oil was being stolen. The former leader of the militant group, Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, told journalists recently in Delta State that a 4km illegal oil pipeline was discovered in the Forcados area of the state.
“I think we have found over 58 points that have been tapped in both Delta and Bayelsa states. We are doing this work together with the security agencies. We are only providing intelligence for the security people to assist to do the work,” he reportedly stated.
