NNPC Fights Oil Theft, Seeks Help from Anti-Corruption Agency
Nigeria’s national oil company, NNPC Ltd., is calling for help from the country’s anti-graft agency, the EFCC, to combat the widespread theft of crude oil.
NNPC CEO, Mele Kyari, made the plea during a meeting with EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede. Kyari described oil theft as a “humongous” economic crime that demands the EFCC’s attention. He highlighted the staggering amount of stolen oil and the brazen methods used by thieves.
Despite NNPC’s efforts to shut down illegal refineries and pipelines, the problem persists. Kyari emphasized the need for stronger deterrence, as new illegal connections appear as quickly as old ones are removed.
“This kind of thing does not happen anywhere else in the world,” Kyari said, pointing out the large scale and visibility of the illegal operations. He argued that such blatant theft hinders production growth.
Kyari urged the EFCC to intervene, stating, “There is no bigger economic crime of this scale anywhere else.”
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While acknowledging NNPC’s legal obligation to uphold ethical standards, Kyari also addressed claims of internal corruption. He explained the company’s measures to limit discretionary actions and automate processes to discourage corrupt practices. He further suggested that many public reports of corruption within NNPC are either false or outdated.
EFCC Chairman Olukoyede commended NNPC’s commitment to ethics but stressed the importance of effective monitoring and enforcement to deter wrongdoing.
This meeting, initiated by Kyari, signifies the urgency NNPC places on tackling both oil theft and internal corruption.
