Headlines
Crude Oil Theft Hurting Nigeria’s Economy, Shell Laments

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of Nigeria has expressed concern that crude oil theft remains a major challenge affecting the Nigerian economy.
The Head, Corporate Relations, Nigeria and Director SPDC of Nigeria Limited, Mr. Igo Weli, said this on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, during an engagement with journalists on ‘Crude Theft, Pipeline Vandalism and Illegal Refineries.’
Weli, who noted how Nigeria had deteriorated to the level it was, which he stated included the degraded Niger Delta environment, described crude oil theft as an organised crime fully funded by prominent and experienced individuals in the society.
He explained that though Shell operates in over 70 countries, the multinational has never experienced the level of sabotage it has seen on its facilities in Nigeria.
According to Weli, SPDC is not leaving Nigeria, as it still has future with the country. He regretted that if all the international oil companies (IOCs) leave Nigeria, it would affect the economy worse than it is experiencing.
Weli said, “You hear a lot of people clamouring for clean-up of Niger Delta, the point I am making is simple, that people should make the end-to-end link between their actions and the impact.
“If over 90 per cent spills are caused by people with axe, saws and even explosive weapons, then you are creating a problem that will eat up the budget you would have used for education, health, etc.
“If you break pipes and the pipes leads to spills and it is very expensive to clean up and the government had to clean up for the environment to be safe for us, then you channel resources needed for other things to that. But it is avoidable.
“There is a mess in the environment which is robing everybody. And as Nigerians, people who are interested in the future of this country, that should be the focus. How do we stop that mess? That mess has caused to our currency losing value.”
Speaking further, he said, “what we (Shell) do in Nigeria to protect our resources, we don’t do anywhere else in the world. The company is in over 70 countries and we are suffering such level of attack from only one country, sometimes lined up litigations”.
Speaking on SPDC going onshore, Weli stressed that the company was pushing hard onshore to get all the community committed.
While commending effort of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike in tackling the issues of illegal refining activities and soot pollution in the state, Weli urged, “governments at all levels to help stop crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.”
In his presentation, Mr John Okojie, Lead, Right of Way and Encroachment, SPDC, noted that the biggest problem in oil industry was crude theft.
He said to ensure the control of the sabotage and ensure safe environment, Shell has continued to collaborate with communities effectively through direct surveillance and GMoU surveillance.
He added that the company also proactively engages Government Security Agencies (GSAs) to prevent crude oil theft, illegal refineries and pipeline vandalism.
On his part, Usman Anibasa who spoke on, “crude oil theft and illegal, refining: Implication for Remediation and Environment,” disclosed that crude oil theft increased to 108,000 bpd in Q1 2022, from 103,000 bpd in 2021.
Anibasa explained that, “$1 billion was lost in Nigeria’s Q1 revenue to crude oil theft.”
Headlines
Benue IDPs block highway, demand return to ancestral homes

Vehicular movement along the Yelwata axis of the Benue–Nasarawa highway was brought to a standstill on Wednesday as Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, staged a protest, demanding immediate return to their ancestral homes.
The protesters, believed to be victims of persistent attacks by suspected herdsmen, blocked both lanes of the busy highway for several hours, chanting “We want to go back home”.
The protest caused disruption, leaving hundreds of motorists and passengers stranded.
Eyewitnesses said the displaced persons, many of whom have spent years in overcrowded IDP camps, are expressing deep frustration over the government’s delay in restoring security to their communities.
“We have suffered enough. We want to return to our homes and farms,” one of the protesters told reporters at the scene.
Security personnel were reportedly deployed to monitor the situation and prevent any escalation, though tensions remained high as of press time.
Efforts to reach the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, and other relevant authorities for comment were unsuccessful.
Headlines
NNPCL reveals decision not to sell Port Harcourt refinery

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL has officially decided not to sell the Port Harcourt Refining Company.
NNPCL has, instead said it is committed to conducting an extensive rehabilitation of the facility and ensuring its continued operation.
During a company-wide town hall meeting held at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, announced the decision regarding the future of the nation’s most significant state-owned refining asset, putting an end to weeks of speculation.
A statement by NNPCL reads, “The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has officially ruled out the sale of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, reaffirming its commitment to completing high-grade rehabilitation and retention of the plant.
“The ongoing review indicates that the earlier decision to operate the Port Harcourt refinery, before full completion of its rehabilitation, was ill-informed and subcommercial.
”Although progress is being made on all three, the emerging outlook calls for more advanced technical partnerships to complete and high-grade the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery.
”Thus, selling is highly unlikely as it would lead to further value erosion.”
Headlines
Tinubu appoints Olumode Adeyemi as Federal Fire Service boss

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Adeyemi Olumode, as the new Federal Fire Service, FFS, Controller-General.
The appointment was announced on Wednesday on behalf of the Federal Government by retired Maj.-Gen Abdulmalik Jubril, Secretary of the Civil, Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, CDCFIB.
Jubril said the appointment followed the retirement of the current Controller-General, Abdulganiyu Jaji, on August 13.
Jaji is retiring upon attaining the age of 60 by August 13.
Jibril further disclosed said that Adeyemi Olumode is qualified for the position, having attended and passed all mandatory in-service training, Command courses as well as other courses within and outside the country.
“He brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having transferred his service from the FCT Fire Service to the Federal Fire Service and grown to the rank of DCG in the Human Resource Directorate of the Service Headquarters.
“He has served in various capacities and is equally a member/fellow of the following professional associations including Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, ANAN, Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria, Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria and Chartered Institute of Treasury Management of Nigeria.”
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