We’ll continue to support fight against oil theft -Chevron

Oil major, Chevron Nigeria Limited, has said that it would not relent in the continued support of the fight against oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger delta region. General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs of Chevron, Esimaje Brikinn, in a statement on Saturday insisted that over the years, it has been in the vanguard of the fight to curb oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the oil rich region. CNL is the operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL/CNL JV). According to Esimaje, to therefore blame the company for incidences of oil theft and pipeline vandalism is not only untrue but also without basis. “Chevron Nigeria Limited is aware of a report in one of the online media platforms blaming international oil companies (IOCs), communities and other stakeholders for the oil theft that has hindered the growth of the oil industry. “Chevron and another IOC were specifically mentioned in the report allegedly attributed to the Chairman of the House of Representatives ad hoc committee set up to investigate crude oil theft. “CNL refutes this assertion as it is untrue, incorrect, and made without any basis. CNL reiterates its commitment to supporting the collaborative efforts to prevent oil theft and pipeline vandalism in its area of operation. “CNL affirms illegal bunkering and oil theft in the Niger Delta region has negatively impacted CNL’s operation and has devastating effects on the nation’s economy and the environment in the Niger Delta region. CNL continues to monitor the environment in its areas of operations and report any suspected illegal activity and breaches to the relevant Government Security Forces and regulatory agencies. “CNL has helped in reducing pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta region by collaborating with communities around the areas of the company’s operations to set up the Community Pipeline and Facilities Surveillance Programme (CPFSP) in 2005. Through the CPFSP, CNL continues to tackle the challenge of oil theft and pipeline vandalism and engage the community youth in pipeline surveillance to reduce oil theft in CNL’s area of operation. CNL also deploys security surveillance equipment and other technologies in addition to physical water-borne patrols by the CPFSP and the government security forces,” the company said. He noted that CNL’s commitment to working with government agencies and others to prevent oil theft and its impact on the environment was recently commended by the Special Investigation Panel on Oil Theft/Losses in Nigeria set up by the Federal Government during their visit to CNL’s operations. “CNL is committed to the highest ethical standards and business principles. CNL operates as a responsible company and conducts its business in full compliance with the law and in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. CNL will continue to work with the Nigerian government towards the development of the oil and gas industry and the Nigerian economy generally,” he added.

Illegal mining, thwarting Nigeria’s economic wellbeing – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has identified illegal mining and other criminal activities as major threats to the Nigeria’s economic growth and stability. Acting EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr. Abdulkarim Chukkol, said this at a one-day workshop which the commission organised for journalists. The theme of the workshop was “Effective Reporting of Economic and Financial Crimes” held on Thursday at the organisation’s Zonal Command in Ilorin. Represented by the Zonal Head, Mr. Michael Nzekwe, the EFCC chair noted that cybercrime was a major criminal activity, perpetrated by undergraduates and fresh graduates of Nigerian tertiary institutions. “The commission has been active in tackling their criminality and will continue to ensure that extant laws against illegal miners are enforced. “Our work is engaging because the commission has been combatting the menace of corrupt practices, going by its impressive records of convictions, asset forfeitures and other tangible proofs of accomplishments over the years. “The reporting has also been arduous because our work is not static and media have always been keeping pace with our speed and energy. “This workshop is one of the modest efforts of the commission to build synergy and foster a more engaging relationship with the media,” he said. The anti-graft Czar urged Nigerians not to wait until they suffer any loss on economic and financial crimes before they move against corrupt practices, as they remained a threat to all. “It is not only by being a victim of these crimes that we suffer losses, we also suffer limitations when our neighbours, colleagues, institutions and nation fall prey to them. “I charge the nation’s journalists on patriotism as you owe our nation and the entire world an obligation of exposing every shadiness and criminal acts through reporting. “Journalism is the best gateway to whistle blowing and I charge the media to deploy more time, energy and commitment in exposing all fraudulent activities in our midst,” he said.