Commodore Ibrahim Dewu, Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA, has called on oil companies operating in the Niger Delta to assist in monitoring their abandoned “well heads” to check oil theft.
Dewu made the call on Friday in Warri shortly after the Command disconnected a pipe that was illegally connected to an abandoned well head in Uobodede community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta.
He also suggested that the well heads could be blocked deep down to prevent criminals from accessing it to tap crude oil.
“Our call on the oil companies is to assist in monitoring these abandoned well heads, since they are aware of the situation and know where they are.
“They can also block them deep down to the point where they cannot be tapped.
“It is a challenge to us stopping these illegally tapped abandoned well heads whenever we discover them.
“We always need experts with equipment to be able to stop the flow, seal and remove the pipe,” he said.
The commander said the Navy had gotten intelligence report that some criminals had connected pipe to an abandoned well head in Uobodede community and were siphoning crude through the pipe.
“They stored the stolen crude on the tanks and pits which they use for illegal refining.
“They have also set several other pipes with which they pass the illegal refined AGO to the boats waiting at the waterfront to be loaded.
“We went with engineers to disconnect the pipe that was connected to the well head before we destroyed the storage pits and the refineries,” he said.
Dewu also expressed concern over the harmful effects of the activities of illegal refiners on the environment.
He appealed to the Federal Government to compel the oil companies to assist in enlightening communities on the consequences of such illegal acts.
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