N’Delta communities demand accountability as NUPRC tightens oil divestment rules

Amid recent cases of attempted crude oil theft in Rivers and Bayelsa states, surveillance contractors have been warned against negligence, collusion and sabotage in the protection of critical oil infrastructure.

The warning followed the interception of two tankers attempting to load crude oil at the Atali axis in Zone 4. The operation, according to Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), was foiled through its backup intelligence system.

Preliminary findings, the company disclosed, point to a possible coordinated conspiracy involving insiders. PINL, the private security firm responsible for safeguarding the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), issued the warning at a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt yesterday

The firm stressed that acts of negligence, compromise or collusion would not be tolerated. Speaking at the meeting, the General Manager, Community and Stakeholder Relations, Dr Akpos Mezeh, said the attempted theft underscored the need for vigilance among contractors and operatives.

He said: “Recently, at the Atali axis in Zone 4, two tankers were intercepted while attempting to load crude oil. It was only through the effectiveness of our backup intelligence system that the operation was foiled; otherwise, the trucks would have succeeded.

“Preliminary findings indicate a possible coordinated conspiracy. Let me be clear: once investigations are concluded, all those found culpable will be brought to justice. No one will be spared.”

Mezeh warned that any contractor found wanting would not only lose their contract but also face prosecution.

Also, the Head of Field Operations, Eastern Corridor, at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Project Monitoring Office, Akponime Omojevwhe, cited cases of alleged negligence by surveillance contractors in parts of Obio/Akpor and Emohua Local Council Areas.

He said contractors in Atali and Egbeda communities must take responsibility for any breach within their domains, warning that failure to prevent sabotage could attract sanctions, including the issuance of non-performance certificates.

MEANWHILE, stakeholders in the Niger Delta have renewed calls for transparency, environmental justice and community protection in the ongoing wave of oil asset divestments, as the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) insists it will block any deal that fails to meet its regulatory standards.

The commission’s position was made known at a community town hall meeting on Oil Divestment and Transition Accountability held in Port Harcourt yesterday.

The event, organised by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) with support from Transparency International (Australia) and the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), brought together regulators, civil society groups and host communities.

While the NUPRC reassured participants of strict oversight, community advocates used the forum to highlight longstanding grievances, warning that divestment processes have historically failed to address environmental damage and socio-economic losses suffered by oil-bearing communities. (The Guardian)