Richard Ginika Izuora
Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, has expressed its desire to deepen collaboration with relevant authorities to rescue the country from the devastating effect of oil theft.
The oil major noted that illegal bunkering and oil theft in the Niger Delta region has also negatively impacted its operations and has devastating effects on the nation’s economy and the environment in the region.
Accordingly, the firm said it has continued to monitor the environment in its areas of operations and report any suspected illegal activity and breaches to the relevant Government Security Forces and regulatory agencies.
In furtherance to its commitment, the company said it has helped in reducing pipeline vandalism and oil theft in Niger Delta region by collaborating with communities around the areas of the company’s operations to set up the Community Pipeline and Facilities Surveillance Programme (CPFSP) in 2005.
Through the CPFSP, the CNL said it continues to tackle the challenge of oil theft and pipeline vandalism and engage the community youth in pipeline surveillance to reduce oil theft in CNL’s area of operation.
In addition it has consistently deployed security surveillance equipment and other technologies in support to physical water-borne patrols by the CPFSP and the government security forces.
Esimaje Brikinn, CNL’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs who stated these noted that CNL’s commitment to working with government agencies and others to prevent oil theft and its impact on the environment was recently commended by the Special Investigation Panel on Oil Theft/Losses in Nigeria set up by the Federal Government during their visit to CNL’s operations.
“CNL is committed to the highest ethical standards and business principles. CNL operates as a responsible company and conducts its business in full compliance with the law and in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. CNL will continue to work with the Nigerian government towards the development of the oil and gas industry and the Nigerian economy generally”, Esimaje stated.
The company however said its aware of a report in one of the online media platforms blaming international oil companies, IOCs, communities and other stakeholders for the oil theft that has hindered the growth of the oil industry.
Esimaje, pointed out that Chevron and another IOC were specifically mentioned in the report allegedly attributed to the Chairman of the House of Representatives ad hoc committee set up to investigate crude oil theft.
“CNL refutes this assertion as it is untrue, incorrect, and made without any basis. CNL reiterates its commitment to supporting the collaborative efforts to prevent oil theft and pipeline vandalism in its area of operation.” he said
