Oil major, Chevron Nigeria Limited, has said that it would not relent in the continued support of the fight against oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger delta region.
General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs of Chevron, Esimaje Brikinn, in a statement on Saturday insisted that over the years, it has been in the vanguard of the fight to curb oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the oil rich region.
CNL is the operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL/CNL JV).
According to Esimaje, to therefore blame the company for incidences of oil theft and pipeline vandalism is not only untrue but also without basis.
“Chevron Nigeria Limited is 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.
“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.
“CNL affirms illegal bunkering and oil theft in the Niger Delta region has negatively impacted CNL’s operation and has devastating effects on the nation’s economy and the environment in the Niger Delta region. CNL continues 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.
“CNL has helped in reducing pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the 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, CNL 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. CNL also deploys security surveillance equipment and other technologies in addition to physical water-borne patrols by the CPFSP and the government security forces,” the company said.
He 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,” he added.
