Lokpobiri Rallies Bayelsa Traditional Rulers against Oil Theft, Vandalism of Assets, Others

in Abuja

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has met with several traditional rulers in Bayelsa State as part of the federal government’s renewed efforts to curb pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.

A statement by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, yesterday described the series of meetings as insightful and collaborative.

For over three years, Nigeria has been unable to meet its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) crude oil quota due to oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and outright sabotage of critical assets in the Niger Delta region.

In the last data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for November, the country only managed to produce 1.25 million bpd out of OPEC’s 1.742 million bpd quota.

Indeed, that would be one of the country’s highest volumes in 2023.

The federal government’s collaboration with local security groups like Tompolo’s Tantita has resulted in some increase in production, but still far from the target after over a year since the deal was made.

But the minister stated that the series of consultations were meant to extract the commitment of the traditional rulers in Bayelsa State, a major hub for Nigeria’s oil and gas assets, to key into the government’s renewed fight against the menace.

“This strategic initiative aligns with the minister’s unwavering commitment to fostering cooperation with key stakeholders in the oil industry, specifically aimed at addressing persistent challenges such as pipeline vandalism, crude theft, and security uncertainties in oilbearing communities across the region,” the statement added.

One of the meetings, the ministers said, took place with the Pere of Ekpetiama clan and chairman of the Traditional Rulers’ Council (TRC) in Bayelsa State, King Bubaraye Dakolo.

“In the engaging encounter, the minister stressed the imperative of collective efforts in curbing pipeline vandalism and oil theft.

“He called on his royal majesty to utilise his esteemed position to rally other traditional rulers in the state for a unified front in addressing these challenges.

“Recognising the crucial role traditional leaders play in the socio-economic fabric of the region, the minister emphasised the need for a joint commitment to securing the oil infrastructure,” the statement added.