The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Western zone, has urged the federal government to bring the culprit of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region to justice.

Dele Tajudeen, chairman, IPMAN in the zone, gave the warning against the backdrop of illegal oil pipelines and crude oil theft discovered in Delta and Bayelsa states recently.

“The effects on our members range from supplies difficulties and extensions of supply time because we have to travel from Ilorin, Ore, Ibadan to Lagos before we have access to products. This, therefore, leads to an increase in freight rate,” he said.

Mr Tajudeen lamented that oil theft had led to the closure of government depots across the country and harassment from security agencies who extort the association members.

“The latest discovery of monumental stealing of crude oil in Niger Delta region shows government lacks capacity, but I see it as an organised crime,” he added.

On subsidy, the IPMAN boss urged the government to take the bull by the horn and decide on the subsidy issues.

He said the government had shown a lack of political will to remove subsidies and deregulate the downstream oil and gas sector.

Recently, The Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd., a surveillance company operated by a former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, known as Tompolo, discovered over 58 illegal oil pipelines. 

He discovered them in Delta and Bayelsa states, where crude oil was stolen.

(NAN)