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| Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu |
The Federal Government on Tuesday said vessels lifting crude oil were now being monitoring in order
to check some irregularities in the oil and gas sector.
Minister
of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, at the Nigeria International
Petroleum Summit, said collaboration was being fine-tuned to enable the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) monitor all vessels lifting
crude oil from the country.
The
minister, who promised 24 months ago that the initiative would begin this year,
said the move was to allow for transparency and probity in the industry.
minister, who promised 24 months ago that the initiative would begin this year,
said the move was to allow for transparency and probity in the industry.
Admitting
that there were lapses in the crude oil lifting process, Kachikwu noted that
the requisite capacity to monitor vessels operating in the country had been
made available.
that there were lapses in the crude oil lifting process, Kachikwu noted that
the requisite capacity to monitor vessels operating in the country had been
made available.
His
words: “For the first time, we know what we are producing in this country. As
to when it is being produced, barrel to barrel, we can tell. We can see even
monitor vessels that are coming into Nigeria and their activities.
words: “For the first time, we know what we are producing in this country. As
to when it is being produced, barrel to barrel, we can tell. We can see even
monitor vessels that are coming into Nigeria and their activities.
“We
have seen some vessels go to a location and pick some cargoes, leave that
point, go to another point, pick something else and return to the first
location when they should be heading to Port Novo or the United States.
have seen some vessels go to a location and pick some cargoes, leave that
point, go to another point, pick something else and return to the first
location when they should be heading to Port Novo or the United States.
“What
we are trying to do with the EFCC is to gather data and track these vessels and
determine the owners and many more.”
we are trying to do with the EFCC is to gather data and track these vessels and
determine the owners and many more.”
Meanwhile,
the Nigerian Navy has handed over 19 suspects and two boats laden with
petroleum products to the EFCC for further investigation and possible
prosecution.
the Nigerian Navy has handed over 19 suspects and two boats laden with
petroleum products to the EFCC for further investigation and possible
prosecution.
The
anti-graft agency’s acting spokesman, Tony Orilade, in a statement yesterday in
Abuja, named the suspects to include Ayeni John; Adetini Ademola; Saliu Malik;
Emmanuel Tosu; Emopin Moneyin; Malade Aiyetimiyi; Oduroja Ojune; Ikudehinbu
Idowu; Abogun Ota; Elamah Augustine and Olarotimi Elikanah.
anti-graft agency’s acting spokesman, Tony Orilade, in a statement yesterday in
Abuja, named the suspects to include Ayeni John; Adetini Ademola; Saliu Malik;
Emmanuel Tosu; Emopin Moneyin; Malade Aiyetimiyi; Oduroja Ojune; Ikudehinbu
Idowu; Abogun Ota; Elamah Augustine and Olarotimi Elikanah.
Others
are Thank-God Benjamin; Abbas Friday; Victor Goldsmith; Gbenga Thomas; Ibane
Austin; Idowu Surprise; Asemia Thomas and Agbayoh Lawrence.
are Thank-God Benjamin; Abbas Friday; Victor Goldsmith; Gbenga Thomas; Ibane
Austin; Idowu Surprise; Asemia Thomas and Agbayoh Lawrence.
He
said the suspects were arrested on August 30, 2018 in Lagos and parts of Ondo
State while illegally dealing in petroleum products sourced from an hijacked
vessel, MT MAMA ELIZABETH.
said the suspects were arrested on August 30, 2018 in Lagos and parts of Ondo
State while illegally dealing in petroleum products sourced from an hijacked
vessel, MT MAMA ELIZABETH.
According
to the spokesman, N3.5 million, suspected to be proceeds from the illicit
business, was found on the suspects.
to the spokesman, N3.5 million, suspected to be proceeds from the illicit
business, was found on the suspects.
An
investigator with the EFCC, Idris Abdullahi Abubakar, who received the suspects
and the boats, promised due diligence.
investigator with the EFCC, Idris Abdullahi Abubakar, who received the suspects
and the boats, promised due diligence.
Guardian.
