The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has visited traditional rulers in Bayelsa State to seek their support to end pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta. Lokpobiri said the move aligned with the Federal Government’s commitment to foster cooperation with key stakeholders in the oil industry and address the persistent challenges of pipeline vandalism, crude theft and security uncertainties in oil communities across the region. The Federal Government and oil sector operators have repeatedly blamed the drop in Nigeria’s oil earnings on the incessant cases of pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta. “In this engaging encounter, the minister stressed the imperative of collective efforts in curbing pipeline vandalism and oil theft. The discussions with Embareba revolved around the need for collaboration between the government and traditional rulers to effectively address security challenges and enhance crude production.

Source: Punch January 06, 2024 22:59 UTC