In a recent revelation, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has identified a staggering 4,800 illegal connections on its oil pipelines across the country. The disclosure came to light during the appearance of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, before the Senate Committee on Appropriations on Friday, December 8.
Kyari highlighted the severity of the issue, stating, “We have over 4,800 illegal connections on our pipelines. That means in some lines, within 100 kilometres of pipelines, you have as much as 300 insertions. Therefore, even when you produce the oil, you cannot deliver them at the required pressure and therefore the volume will also be less.”
The NNPCL boss further explained that individuals from various parts of the country are reportedly involved in inserting illegal connections, particularly in the oil-producing Niger Delta region of Nigeria. This illicit activity poses a significant challenge as it not only compromises the integrity of the pipelines but also hampers the effective transportation of oil by reducing the required pressure and volume.
The revelation underscores the urgent need for measures to address the issue of illegal connections, safeguarding the nation’s oil infrastructure and ensuring the smooth flow of oil production in the Niger Delta region. The Senate Committee on Appropriations is expected to engage in further discussions to formulate strategies to tackle this pressing concern.
