Tunde Sholanke

Former Chief of Policy and Plans’, Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Henry Babalola (retd), has implored the federal government (FG) to charge criminals involved in oil theft for treason.

He lamented that the government is not doing enough to eradicate the menace of oil theft  wrecking havicy on the nation’s revenue base.

He spoke at a seminar organized by Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN), with the theme, ‘‘Achieving presidential mandate in curbing oil theft and securing the nation’s wealth” in Abuja on Wednesday.

He recommended that those caught stealing the nation’s crude should be charged with treason,adding that the government needs to identify the supply chain of oil theft and identify the individuals involved.

He also said tthat those at the receiving end should be identified and brought to book.

He added: “It is high time the government treat the menace with urgency,” warning that “oil theft would kill the country should the government fail to act fast”.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana,in his remarks,disclosed that the nation’s efforts at achieving the Presidential mandate handed to the Ministry is being achieved simultaneously due to the adaptation of synergy among the tri-services especially in planning, coordination and implementation of actionable programmes and projects.

Represented by the Director,  Army, Mr. Sunday Attah, he said, “No doubt, the Nigerian Armed Forces and Agencies of the Ministry now enjoy wider public support and understanding which have resulted in positive attitudinal change among Nigerians.

“Nigerians are now very familiar with the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in securing the country and guaranteeing the safety of Nigerians against banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.

“On this matter of oil theft before us as a nation, I call on all hands to be on deck especially the Media in the fight against this deadly menace. It is necessary to remind you that the expectations of Nigerians on the media is high and as such, you must live up to that expectation. Every story must be accurate, verifiable, credible and most importantly be relayed with high sense of patriotism and professionalism”.

Speaking,Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, said the order given by the President Muhammodu Buhari on the eradication of oil theft was yielding results.

He noted:”Before that directive, oil production went down to 900, 000 barrels per day but today it is gradually picking up and oscillating between 1.5 million and 1.6 million barrels per day”.

Represented by his Media Aide, Horatius Egua, he said the problems confronting the oil and gas industry were caused by years of neglect by past administrations.

He said, “The oil and gas industry is the most complex sector in this country. That is why some allege that in the sector, the more you look, the less you see.  However, in the last 12 months, the order by the president to end oil theft in the country is beginning to yield results.

“Apart from stealing, past governments did not invest in infrastructure in the oil and gas sector for a very long time. You find pipelines rupturing; we could not get what we wanted but this administration has done much to restore infrastructure”.

“The president directed that the refineries must work and as it is presently, the Port Harcourt refinery is at 65-70 percent. Hopefully before the end of the second quarter of the year. I believe something will come out of that refinery“.

Tunde Sholanke

The Executive Secretary Petroleum Technology Development Fund PTDF Dr. Bello Aliyu Gusau,has promised the Women in Energy, Oil and Gas WEOG, Nigeria of paetnership with the institute in the area of training and capacity development in order to increase the gender participation in the sector.

He disclosed this in Abuja during the International Women Day IWD 2023 strategic women in energy, oil and gas submit with the Theme: “The Limitless Woman: Leveraging Innovation and Technology”

It was organized by the association to advance women’s empowerment and recognize their contribution to the oil and gas industry in commemoration of Women’s Day globally.

The Executive Secretary,who was represented by the General Manager, Strategic Planning and Documentation Department Mr. Jide Adebulehin, explained that increasing the women participation in the industry is crucial and strategic because women are known for dedication and commitment in the discharge of their duty.

He said:“For almost three decades I have been in the industry, women that worked with me has always shown dedication and I find them very resourceful when it comes to sharing duty or responsibility. Our duty here involve capacity development in oil and gas, the PTDF conference hall is conducive for conferences, seminar and capacity training and the door is open for the forum like this” He also commended the organisers of the event for the vision in driving the gender imbalance in the sector.

Speaking,the Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company NNPC Limited Board, Senator Margret Okadigbo tasked women in the oil and gas sector to create opportunity for upcoming women in the sector.

She also implored women who are players in the industry to show themselves as the role model and mentor for the upcoming women in the sector by training other women to take over from them.

In her remarks,National President Women in Energy Nigeria, Dr. Olatunji Owo, explained that the the event is a channel to celebrate women in oil and gas.

She revealed that women currently hold below 20 percent affirmative action as players in the industry so the conference will help to create the awareness for women to increase participation in oil and gas industry.

She added:“Women represent only about seven percent in the sector as of today, which is why we organise the forum to highlight the need to create more space for women.”

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, has launched six new regulations for the oil and gas industry.

The rules are; the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Operations Regulations; Natural Gas Pipeline Tariffs Regulations; Gas Pricing and Domestic Demand Regulations; Assignment or Transfer of Licence and Permit Regulations; Petroleum (Transportation and Shipment) Regulations; and Petroleum Measurement Regulations.

The fresh rules will support sustainable growth for the mid and down streams sector,Idare Ogan, the Chairman of NMDPRA Board said,adding that they have provided clarity for both the operators and regulators in the industry.

Ogan,who spoke during the unveiling of the regulations in Abuja, explained that the rules which derive from the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 would promote growth in the industry and help in alleviating our economy by giving it the much needed bite in terms of prosperity and development.

Speaking,the Authority’s Chief Executive, Engr. Farouk Ahmed noted that the regulations have been designed to enable businesses through regulatory clarity, certainty, fairness, transparency, and best industry practice.

He added: “In addition to the regulations being launched, 14 other regulations have been developed and shall be issued shortly”.

Shedding light on the regulations, NMDPRA’s Secretary/Legal Adviser, Dr. Joseph Tolorunse said the Petroleum Measurement Regulations would standardize measurement system across the industry and help the country curb oil theft and losses.

He added:“Meters must now be installed in all the measurement points across the sector which we have not had before. Now, there’s no way an operator now can actually operate without installing appropriate measurement system.

“And also if you install an appropriate measurement system, definitely it will stem the spate of crude losses through theft in the value chain, that is very, very important. It also specified that the method of measurement has to be approved. You don’t just come and say this is the method you want to use, because before the operators would want to a system that suits them but now it is no longer allowed”.