Oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), has accused the elite as the force behind crude oil theft and illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region, stressing that their financial muscle, privileges and connections make it easier for them to engage in the criminal enterprise.

The company’s General Manager, Corporate Relations, Nigeria, Igo Weli, who disclosed this to newsmen during an engagement on ‘Crude Theft, Pipeline Vandalism & Illegal Refineries’ in the Niger Delta region, also claimed that the perpetrators of oil theft and illegal refineries even acquire staff who facilitate their operations. While regretting that the country loses millions of dollars to criminals and Oil thefteconomic saboteurs on a regular basis, he added that their operations deprive the country of increased revenue occasioned by the Ukraine-Russia war. Weli said: “I do not understand why people with large funds should invest in the destruction of oil and gas pipelines, illegalrefineries, hence destruction of their nation’s economic base.

“We carry out daily over flights and at times involve the government, cage the well heads with technology for alertness, which is not done in anyother country.

“Shell engages with the security agencies for surveillance, patrol, just as we contract the use of drones, to monitor the facilities. We commend the Rivers State Governor Chief Nyesom Wike, for recently demonstrating leadership to stop the menace of crude theft and illegal refineries.”

He observed that SPDC spends more funds in Nigeria to protect its equipment from economic saboteurs, and bemoaned a situation in which crude thefts and illegal refineries exist in the region unchallenged.

Weli pleaded for patriotism and more awareness on the side of the citizenry, especially host communities to protect oil and gas facilities, rather than vandalizing them, warning that SPDC is only a joint venture partner, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Nigeria are the true owners.(New Telegraph)