Oil
NNPC Rallies Nigerians to Fight Pipeline Vandalism
Pipeline vandalism
ABUJA-THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its midstream subsidiary, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), have called on all Nigerians, especially those living in communities close to pipelines, to see the pipelines as their own and protect them as their own property.
The Corporation made the plea over the weekend at the flag-off of a two-day Anti-Pipeline Vandalism Campaign in Idimu, Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State, organized to sensitize residents on the need to join in the war against pipeline vandalism.
Speaking at the event which included a roadshow through the communities adjoining the pipeline right of way in the area up to the Ejigbo Depot and the major pipeline vandalism flashpoints of Ijeododo and Arepo, the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC who was represented by the Manager, Public Affairs Department, PPMC, Mr. Nasir Imodagbe, called on residents to be vigilant and report all suspicious movements around the pipeline to the Corporation or security agencies.
“What many people don’t know is that besides explosions and pipeline fires that destroy lives and property in these communities, there are more pernicious effects of pipeline vandalism such as its potential to wipe out entire communities through the harm it does to the environment as a result of the constant spillage of products”, he noted.
Speaking further on the harmful effects of pipeline vandalism on local communities, the NNPC spokesman explained that the oil that is spilled into the environment when vandals and oil thieves hack into pipelines “destroys aquatic life, pollutes the ground water and renders water from boreholes unsafe for consumption; contaminates the soil and makes it unfit to support any meaningful agricultural activity; and ultimately reduce the quality of life of the people living around such places”.
On the economic effects of pipeline vandalism, the Corporation stated that apart from the huge sums of money that government loses in the form of products losses and cost of pipeline repairs, the average citizen loses much when he has to spend endless hours on queues at filling stations and sometimes has to pay more to get products at the black market during products scarcity resulting from the breach of the pipelines by vandals and oil thieves.
“So, you can see that no one is completely exempted from the harmful effects of this criminal act perpetrated by a few unscrupulous elements among us. It is therefore our collective responsibility to be vigilant and see the pipelines as our own and protect them as our property because if we don’t, we are all going to suffer the harmful effects one way or the other. If you can’t confront the vandals and oil thieves, at least you can call any of the toll free lines and report them; sitting down and doing nothing will not save you from the harmful effect of their criminal activities,” he stated.
Also speaking at the event, the traditional ruler of Idimuland, Oba Azeez Olayeni Olugoke II, called on all residents of the community to shun criminal activities, especially oil theft and pipeline vandalism, adding that as a policy the community does not protect anyone caught perpetrating such acts.
The Oba who was represented by Chief Moshood Balogun, the Alase of Idimuland, promised to take the message to his people and help mobilize the community to help tackle pipeline vandalism.
Some of the dignitaries that attended the flag-off ceremony include Chief Bashir Jimoh, the Ajiroba of Idimuland; the Manager in charge of the Mosimi Area of PPMC, Mr. A. A. Agwandas; the Manager, Ejigbo Depot, Mr. Lawrence Ekpa; and the Deputy Manager, Pipeline Right of Way, Mosimi Area, Engr Bashir Sidi.
In a strategic move to revitalize Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, the Federal Government has unveiled two key fiscal incentives aimed at attracting investment and enhancing energy security.
The announcement was made by Mr. Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy on Wednesday.
The first initiative, the Value Added Tax (VAT) Modification Order 2024, introduces critical exemptions for essential energy products and infrastructure, including Diesel, Feed Gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Electric Vehicles, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure, and Clean Cooking Equipment.
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These exemptions are designed to reduce living costs for Nigerians, promote energy security, and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy alternatives.
The second initiative, the Notice of Tax Incentives for Deep Offshore Oil & Gas Production, offers new tax relief options for deep offshore exploration projects.
This measure aims to position Nigeria’s deep offshore basin as a premier destination for international oil and gas investments, boosting the country’s appeal to foreign investors.
These reforms are part of a broader set of policy initiatives, known as Policy Directives 40-42, endorsed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The directives reflect the administration’s commitment to fostering sustainable development in the energy sector and enhancing Nigeria’s competitive edge in the global oil and gas market.
By Yemie Adeoye
NIGERIA’s President Bola Tinubu has announced that the protracted ExxonMobil-Seplat upstream oil divestment will be formally approved by the Minister of petroleum within a matter of days, just as he announced his government’s intention to expand the Compress natural Gas, CNG buses initiative.
The President who stated this during his Independence day nationwide broadcast stated that the move is in line with his administration’s commitment to free enterprise, free entry and free exit in investments which is the hallmark of his administration investment policy.
“Fellow compatriots, our administration is committed to free enterprise, free entry, and free exit in investments while maintaining the sanctity and efficacy of our regulatory processes. This principle guides the divestment transactions in our upstream petroleum sector, where we are committed to changing the fortune positively. As such, the ExxonMobil Seplat divestment will receive ministerial approval in a matter of days, having been concluded by the regulator, NUPRC, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA. This was done in the same manner as other qualified divestments approved in the sector.”
The President also seized the opportunity to plead with Nigerians to be patient with his administration’s reform policies. “As your President, I assure you that we are committed to finding sustainable solutions to alleviate the suffering of our citizens. Once again, I plead for your patience as the reforms we are implementing show positive signs, and we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel”.
“Our energy transition programme is on course. We are expanding the adoption of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas for mass transit with private sector players. The Federal Government is ready to assist the thirty-six States and FCT in acquiring CNG buses for cheaper public transportation.
Fellow Nigerians, while we are working to stabilise the economy and secure the country, we also seek to foster national unity and build social harmony and cohesion. Our economy can only thrive when there is peace”. he enthused.
As part of the administration’s push to improve Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed support for ExxonMobil’s plan to invest $10 billion in the country’s deep-water oil sector.
Speaking on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, during a meeting with ExxonMobil executives at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Shettima called the investment “a clear testament to the administration’s economic reforms and investor-friendly policies.”
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This announcement follows news that international maritime company DP World intends to develop a multibillion-dollar port project in Nigeria.
Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, shared the development in a statement on Wednesday. He quoted Shettima as saying: “ExxonMobil’s potential investment aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for a more investment-friendly Nigeria.
We are committed to fostering an environment that supports such transformative projects.”Shettima also discussed the administration’s broader efforts to improve the ease of doing business, highlighting the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which aims to simplify bureaucratic processes, enhance transparency, and offer fiscal incentives to attract global investors.
“Our administration has taken bold steps to unify the exchange rate, remove fuel subsidies, and implement tax reforms. These measures, though challenging in the short term, are intended to create a stable and predictable business environment in the long term,” he added.
On the oil and gas sector, Shettima mentioned that the government is revising the fiscal framework for deep-water operations to attract investment while ensuring fair returns for the Nigerian people.
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