The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC) has strengthened collaboration with the Joint Security Task Force and other stakeholders to tackle oil thieves and illegal refiners.

The NNPC said the combined efforts of the government security and regulatory agencies, the host community and oil companies was a different approach toward curbing oil theft and bunkering.

NNPC’s group managing director Mele Kyari disclosed this during an assessment tour of illegal refineries in Rivers on Wednesday.

Mr Kyari, while expressing optimism on its zeal to end the problem, underscored the need to intensify security on the ground and modern technology to tackle the menace.

The NNPC boss said that pipeline vandalism, oil theft and illegal refining activities were threatening the growth of the country’s oil and gas industry.

He said the Nigerian Navy was also doing enormous work, had made several arrests and prevented illegal movement of oil through the vessels.

Also speaking, Mr Komolafe described the situation as a natural disaster, adding that there were clear regulations guiding people who genuinely wanted to do upstream business in the country.

“This is absolute criminality. On the part of the government, if any Nigerian want to participate in the upstream activity, they can contact the regulatory body for guidance,” Mr Komolafe said.

(NAN)