The Nigerian government is exploring
the possibility of using an electronic
pipeline surveillance to track oil theft
in Nigeria, President Goodluck
Jonathan, said on Saturday.
Jonathan gave this indication in his
closing remarks at a two-day oil and
gas investment forum in Onne, Port
Harcourt, Rivers State.
Jonathan, who was represented by
the Senate President, David Mark,
described the menace of oil theft as
worrisome, stressing, however, that
government was ready to tackle it
headlong.
“Relevant regulatory agencies are
working round the clock to combat
the challenge, considering the
strategic position of oil and gas in the
economy.
“My administration has embarked on
a number of far-reaching measures to
combat these unwholesome
activities. Government is exploring
the possibility of using electronic
pipeline surveillance to track down oil
theft.”
While stressing that the government
was putting in place mechanism to
ensure that vandals found it
extremely difficult to access
petroleum pipelines, the president
gave assurance of continuous
support to an investment drive in the
sector.
“To this end, I am calling on all
relevant industries to ensure that all
oil and gas related cargo are
discharged only at the designated
terminals,” he said.
The President directed that the
agencies concerned should also
ensure strict enforcement on the ban
on the illegal discharge of cargo and
receiving of vessels at private jetties.
He said that steps should be taken to
guard against the breach of national
security and loss of revenue to the
government.
Jonathan said the choice of the Onne
oil and gas free trade zone was
strategic, as it will showcase the
investors’ confidence in the Nigerian
economy as “seeing is believing”.
According to him, government
generated revenue in the zone has
increased from $5.4 billion to $7.1
billion in 2013 and the FDI from $4
billion to $4.2 billion dollars in 2013.
“Available statistics indicate that the
companies operating in the free zone
have increased from 150 in 2011 to
170 in 2013, employment
regeneration has increased from
30,000 in 2011 to 34,000 in 2013.
“Support to family livelihood has
grown from 180,000 in 2011 to
200,000 in 2013. If these indices are
not indicating an attractive
environment for investors, I wonder
what else they are,” he said.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and
Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga,
said the Oil and Gas Free Zone
(OGFTZ) would continue to be a
catalyst for the diversification of the
economy.
“The oil and gas industry remains the
prime mover of Nigeria’s economy,
while the OGFTZ concept continues to
be strategic in the facilitation of
private sector investments in the
sector.”
The Rivers Gov., Mr Rotimi Amaechi,
in an interview with newsmen, called
on investors to ensure optimum
utilisation of investment
opportunities in the state, to promote
maximum economic growth in the
country.
He said that investments in the
OGFTZ over the years, had been
successful due to the existing climate
that is peaceful and conducive to
business..
“I call on investors to take advantage
of the peaceful investment that is
conducive to the business climate,
put in place by the present
administration,” Amaechi added.
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