The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has discovered 122 illegal oil refineries over the past seven days in the Niger Delta region.
In a documentary released on Tuesday, NNPCL reported sealing a filling station in Akwa Ibom State for selling illegally refined fuel to motorists.
The report highlighted the uncovering and removal of 65 illegal pipeline connections within the past week in Rivers State and other parts of the oil-rich Niger Delta.
Between May 18 and 24, 310 incidents of oil theft and vandalism were recorded across the region, according to NNPCL’s disclosure of their ongoing efforts to combat these issues.
The illegally refined fuel operation in Akwa Ibom State was found at Grey Creek, while the 122 illegal refineries were located in areas including Tomble II, III, IV, Umuajuloke in Rivers State, and Oporomor III, Eduwini, and Ajatiton in Bayelsa State.
Additionally, vandalized well heads were discovered in Tomble IV, Rivers State, and Egbema in Imo State.
NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, emphasized the necessity of tackling oil theft to enhance crude oil production and revenue for the country.
“No one is going to put money into oil production when he knows the production will not get to the market.
“Within the last two years, we removed over 5,800 illegal connections from our pipelines. We took down over 6,000 illegal refineries.
“You simply cannot get people to put money until you solve that problem,” he stated.
