REVEALED: How military men, oil firms aid illegal bunkering

Niger Delta activist and chairman of the Itsekiri Regional Development Council, Chief Ayirimi Emami, has alleged the active involvement of some military men  and oil companies  in illegal crude oil bunkering deals in the region.

 Emami also slammed oil bearing communities in the region for “actively and passively”  aiding the illicit trade, which has resulted in  losses of up to  300,000 barrels of crude oil (or about $30.5m) daily.

 Speaking at the 2nd Delta Oil and Gas Stakeholders Conference, held in Effurun-Delta State, Emami, Governor Uduaghan and other stakeholders said the Joint Task Forces, the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and host communities could not  feign ignorance of the situation.

 Emami said: “Poverty is the origin of oil theft; we (host communities) are all suffering. Everybody is involved actively and passively. The communities, oil multinationals and the armed forces, are all involved.

 “The host communities cannot claim ignorance about those involved because those doing it are not ghosts; they are humans who sometimes live in the community. So, they are either actively involved or passively through their acquiescence.

 “Most members of the host communities benefit through handouts and other forms. So, they keep quiet and would not offer information or report those involved.

 “When I say the security agencies are involved, it is very simple: Delta State for instance has three exit/entry points. They are at Escravos, Forcados and Ogheye (in Warri South West, Burutu and Warri North local government areas respectively). There is no way a vessel can enter or leave without the military seeing them.

  “If they are not involved how do the illegal bunkering vessels  pass?”

 His position was supported by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State  who  said:

“All boats are stopped at these checkpoints. I have been stopped every time I travel in the area. If I, a governor, can be stopped how does the criminal pass unhindered?”

 On the involvement of oil multinationals, Emami said the technical skills needed to carry out some of the illegal bunkering operation are beyond  a  layman. He advised the IOCs to also look inward in the quest for answer to illegal bunkering.

 “The oil companies are also insincere in reporting illegal bunkering activities and the resultant loses. For instance, in a situation where the crime does occur, they would exaggerate for obvious reason.

 “If one barrel of crude is stolen, they (oil companies) would say it is 10 and the balance goes into their account and through that they are benefiting from the crime.”

 For his part, Mr Joel Bisina of Leadership Initiative For Transformation and Empowerment (LITE) wondered how illegal bunkering  could thrive in the area despite the high end security network around the oil facilities

 ”Where does the technical expertise reside?” he wondered,adding: “Some members of the JTF operatives tasked with preventing crude theft collect levies on cargo by cargo basis (from illegal bunkerers).”

Culled from The Nation