The Federal University of Petroleum Resources Centre for Sustainable Development (FUPRE-CSD) has expressed its willingness to lead the effort to end crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal mining.
The crude oil theft has cost the country over N4.3 trillion in crude oil losses in 7,143 pipeline vandalism cases over the last five years.
The centre said it is prepared to deploy relevant skills and expertise through regular community educational sensitisation and engagement on oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal mining.
In a communique issued by participants in the well attended 4th anniversary and roundtable discussion on sustainable partnerships to combat crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal mining, held on World Earth Day by FUPRE-CSD, in Asaba Delta State, it called for the strengthening of political will, mainstreaming of the SDGs to serve as indicators for economic growth and prosperity, strategic partnership and policy development to enhance resource growth.
Signed by Dr Emeka Elemike (Center Director), Deacon Okezi Odugala (Deputy Director/External Partnership Liaison) and Green Activist Harrison Agboro (Director of Programme) on behalf of participants, it regretted endless list of minerals in Nigeria which are mined illegally and not accounted for.
“FUPRE-CSD has the solution to the financial leakages in the oil and gas sector of the economy, which have slowed the nation’s development. If FUPRE is elevated to perform optimally, the Centre for Sustainable Development will be able to assist the government in combating oil theft, which has crippled the nation financially and increased the cost of pipeline maintenance, replacement, and other avoidable costs, forcing many multinational companies to close while others relocate.
“Our decision is a call to higher national service in finding long-term solutions to the long-standing petroleum crisis that has rocked the nation’s financial fortunes through sustainable partnerships that can help address the surge in oil theft and vandalism while also promoting sustainable development and environmental protection in the Niger Delta region,” the communique read.
The head of the center’s Media and Public Enlightenment, Mr. Benjamin Atu, said participants identified major causes of crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal mining, including poverty and lack of opportunities, as well as a lack of infrastructure and social amenities.
Others are the grievances of the citizens with oil companies and government, weak law enforcement and inadequate surveillance, insufficient regional cooperation across borders and alliance of the vandals with host communities.
