The Federal Government has acknowledged the persistent issue of fuel smuggling from Nigeria to neighbouring countries, attributing it to aging and corroded pipelines. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, highlighted the ease of tapping into the deteriorating pipelines as a key factor enabling illegal fuel transport.
Lokpobiri emphasized that as long as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) sells fuel below landing cost, smuggling will continue, worsened by the involvement of security agents at border posts. He urged for public-private partnerships to address infrastructure challenges and rehabilitate pipelines, stressing Nigeria’s role in ensuring energy security in West Africa.
The minister also expressed concerns about meeting domestic and export obligations, particularly for local refineries like the Dangote Refinery, without increased production. He advocated for ramping up production to support local refining and enhance competition among refineries in the country.
Investing in infrastructure and boosting production are essential steps towards curbing fuel smuggling and strengthening Nigeria’s energy security in the region.
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