The Nation Newspaper

Tag: vandalism

  • Petroleum Ministry, others to tackle vandalism

    The Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the National Security Adviser (NSA) have initiated moves to curb pipeline vandalism and crude  oil theft through digital surveillance.

    The initiative will also ensure that operators in the oil and gas sector deploy sensors in areas where pipelines are located to check vandalism. The mechanism will connect every centimetre of the pipeline, and further ensure that operators enjoy the latitude of being informed immediately any act of vandalism is being carried out on any part of the pipeline.

    The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, NNPC, Ohi Alegbe, said the industry is at a stage where opportunities in technology are being explored to stop the menace of pipeline vandalism and other untoward practices.

    He said efforts are ongoing to use sensors to check vandalism, adding that the involvement of NNPC in the fight against pipeline vandalism and other untoward practices was in line with its responsibility to develop the upstream and downstream sectors.

    He said the  Corporation distributes petroleum products to its depots through pipelines, and at the same time uses the channel to provide gas to the end-users, especially the power generation companies (GENCOs).

    He stated that pipeline breakage and other problems are critical to the growth of the sector, adding that the government is not leaving any stone unturned to stop it.

    He said the  National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki( rtd) is the only competent person mandated to speak on the technology, in view of the importance the Federal Government attaches to the issue of pipeline vandalism.

    Alegbe said information regarding the use of the technology are sensitive, and is therefore, being protected from the public to enable the government achieve its desired results of reducing pipeline destruction.

    Also, the Senior Special Assistant on Gas to the Minister of Power, Dr Frank Edozie said the ministry, National Security Adviser and NNPC are involved in the scheme to tackle pipeline vandalism through digital method.

    He said the Ministry of Power does not own pipeline, but only uses it as a channel through which gas is transported to the power generation companies (GENCOs) for electricity production.

    Ownership of the pipelines, he said, revolves round the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and NNPC, adding that the development underscored the reasons behind the involvement of NNPC and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in the fight against pipeline vandalism through technological process.

    Edozie said the government has adopted physical measures to deal with the problem, by deploying members of military and para-military to monitor pipelines and further arrest vandals. He said the Joint Task Force (JTF) comprising the army and the police have arrested and prosecuted vandals, stressing that the devices are going to complement such efforts.

    He said: “In the past, efforts were made by the government to secure pipelines. The Army, Navy, Police and the Nigerian Civil Defence Service Corps (NCDSC) monitored pipelines but now, the government has put in place measures to complement the physical protection of the pipelines by ensuring that sensors are deployed into pipeline areas or zones.  The effectiveness of the sensors depends on the number of operators deployed to check vandalism.”

    The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, said the government is declaring zero tolerance on vandals, stressing that a more proactive measure would be used to curb the sharp practices.

     

  • Pipeline vandalism

    •200 cases in six months intolerable!

    Our fear regarding the nation’s oil sector’s grubby management is better exemplified by scandalous reports emanating from a senior government official, stating that the nation in the last six months recorded over 200 incidences of crude oil and gas pipeline vandalism. So, what other confirmation could better corroborate the reality that law and order have finally broken down in that money-spinning sector of the economy?

    Prof. Chinedu Nebo, Minister of Power, at a media parley in Abuja alarmingly declared: “Over 200 incidences were recorded in six months on the Trans Niger crude pipeline in the East, affecting Okoloma gas supply. These regular interruptions on the Trans Forcados crude oil pipeline affect gas supply in the West. Sabotage incidents have constrained gas supply to power plants and held generation at less than 4,500MW.”

    Sadly, the government has routinely regaled Nigerians with how such criminal practices have been impeding power supply since 81 per cent of power generated in the country originates from thermal generation plants that rely solely on gas. But the government hardly told Nigerians how many billions had gone into employing militants to guard the pipelines without meaningful results.

    Apart from pipeline vandalism, the nation has been befuddled with routine oil thefts to the tune of 400,000 barrels per day despite having several millions of dollar security contract with the leadership of Niger Delta militants. For example, some former militants and self-styled ‘generals’. Ebikabowei “Boyloaf” Victor Ben and Ateke Tom, have for almost three years been reportedly receiving $3.8 million a year each to have their men guard oil pipelines they hitherto attacked in the Niger Delta creeks. The same applies to another militant leader, Government “Tompolo” Ekpumopolo who purportedly receives $22.9 million a year to perform the same job. Asari Dokubo, a popular militant leader, is reportedly enjoying his own bite of the juicy pipelines protection deal.

    Despite this unnecessarily huge security expenditure on incorrigible militants by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the humdrum vandalisation going on and the despicable oil theft have left us wondering why the contracts with these militants have not been terminated. Without equivocation, the whole essence of the contracts has been defeated.

    We consider as imperative the need to ask some questions: Who are the vandals destroying these pipelines? Are they known to the militant leaders, and truly under their control? If yes, why has the problem of pipeline vandalism been so nauseatingly persistent over the years? What happened to the money so far given to Tompolo, Dokubo, Boyloaf and Ateke Tom, to ensure adequate protection of the pipelines? Does it still make sense to continue the contracts in view of the obvious failure of these militants to justify the contracts? Would the problem of pipeline vandalism ever be solved with the suspected complicity from powerful quarters?

    The revelation by Professor Nebo on the upsurge in pipeline vandalism is a serious indictment on a government that spends millions of hard-earned currency yearly on the protection of oil pipelines without getting the desired results. Assuming those vandals are saboteurs, then those militants paid to do the job of protecting the pipelines but are found wanting in discharging their duties are no less so. Even those paying such amount to them at a time that majority of Nigerians are facing hard times qualify for the same appellation.

    We are tired of a government that has made daily bemoaning of sordid state of affairs in the oil sector its pastime when it has all the powers to change the tide for good but has demonstrated gross incapability to do this.

  • Vandalism: Fed Govt cries out as power lowers to over 2,000MW

    Vandalism: Fed Govt cries out as power lowers to over 2,000MW

    Power Minister Prof. Chinedu Nebo yesterday blamed the reduction in power generation to vandalism of oil and gas pipelines. The power generation stood at 2,000 megawatts yesterday.

    Speaking at a world news conference in Abuja, the minister said the extensive nature of pipelines has made the facility cumbersome for policing.

    He, however, said President Goodluck Jonathan “is working to ensure that resources are deployed for remote monitoring” of the oil and gas pipelines.

    According to the Permanent Secretary in the Power Ministry, Godknows Igali, the power reduced to 2,000 and something megawatts and something mega watts today.

    The ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) throught the Special Assistant to the President on Youth Affairs, Jude Imhagwe with a popular musician, Charlie Oputa (Charlie Boy) on the propagation of secure pipeline campaign.

    Other measures adopted to tackle the vandalism of power infrastructure, according to him, were collaboration with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the National Security Adviser.

    He said: “Gas infrastructure vandalism and crude oil theft are the causes of significant economic loss to the Nigerian nation as well as the cause of insufficient power supply.

    “vandalism of oil and gas and  power infrastructure always results in loss of crude oil and revenue, loss of gas and revenue impacting electricity tariff.”

  • Aerial cables solution to vandalism, says Phase 3 chief

    Aerial cables solution to vandalism, says Phase 3 chief

    With mounting complaints about incessant optic fibre cables’ (OFC) cut, which aggravate poor quality of service (QoS) by telcos, West Africa’s largest independent OFC infrastructure and telecommunications services provider, Phase3 Telecom, has said the option to terrestrial OFC is aerial which rides on high tension wires of power distribution companies (DISCOs)

    Its Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Jegede, who spoke on the sideline in Lagos, emphasised the uniqueness of aerial fibre optics technology.

    He said provides the best and most reliable transmission medium connecting cities in Nigeria and across the West African sub-region.

    “Phase 3 is offering the reliability of aerial fiber optics platform to connect multiple business locations, residential areas, institutions and government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) with diverse needs locally and across the region in the fastest and most resourceful manner that will broaden full business and internet potentials.

    “This is in line with ongoing debate in the IT/ICT space in the country, which revolves around broadband connectivity in terms of access, affordability and speed. Ours is also in line with the Federal Government’s broadband aspirations-ubiquity and access, because of its potential to grow the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).”

    He said the firm is connecting several cities, including Ibadan and Kaduna to its internet protocol/multiprotocol label switching (IP/MPLS) point-of-access to provide affordable and robust broadband with enterprise solutions offerings, adding that this development means people and businesses in these cities will enjoy network access to several cities globally through the firm’s global IP/MPLS services, leveraging on its long term collaborations and partnerships with organisations such as with PCCW Global.

    Jegede said the firm is expanding the reach of the company’s network through enterprise solutions and broadband services, stressing that it reinforces its dedication to value creation and solid commitment to providing exceptional customer experience and best in class technological solutions.

    He argued that the firm will continue to ensure service provision at low cost, making communications simpler and bringing multiple networks together onto a single IP platform that makes them easier to manage. This is because more businesses can connect to all their sites from large offices to smaller ones and choose the right access for each one based on available speed and resilience options.

    He said the firm’s enterprise solutions remained the best ICT decision that will help businesses cut costs and sustain value creation as well as increase productivity which is a much needed respite for doing business in a country such as Nigeria where the cost of doing business is significantly high.

  • Vandalism: Four suspects killed in Ikorodu

    Four persons have reportedly been killed following a gun battle that ensued between security forces engaged in the anti-pipeline vandalism operation in Ikorodu.

    ‎The incident which occurred at the Abule Oba area of the city was said to have started after Nigerian Navy personnel were attacked by vandals while on routine patrol in a bid to rid that axis of pipeline vandals.

    Reports disclosed that a vandal kingpin, identified as BlackBerry was among those who died in the shootout.

    Confirming the incident, the spokesman, Western Naval Command (WNC) Lieutenant Commander Abdulsalam ‎Sani told our correspondent that it occurred around 4pm on Thursday.

    “Our men were on routine patrol in their boat, which is part of the ongoing operation (AWATSE). On sighting them, the vandals who were also in their own boats opened fire.

    “An exchange of fire ensued between the vandals and the team of the Nigerian Navy. In the process, four armed vandals including the kingpin, alias Blackberry were killed while others escaped with bullet wounds.

    The Naval Commander, who pleaded with the public to join the Navy in the battle against vandals by providing useful information, said: “The Nigerian Navy is poised to protecting lives and properties in that general area. We appeal to the public not to panic but to go about their normal activities. We also urge the public to provide useful information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of these evil activities”.

  • Pipeline Vandalism: NSCDC Arrests 6

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in an operation at Patrick Waterside of River State, intercepted a wooden Boat loaded with Crude-Oil.

    The Corps, in a statement through its spokesman, Emmanuel Okeh, disclosed that it collaborated with the 146 Battalion of the Nigeria Army in the State to carry out the operation.

    According to Okeh, the combined team swung into action after receiving an intelligence report on the activities of vandals at the creek.

    He further recounted that on sighting security operatives, the vandals dove into the river, abandoning the wooden boat and the stolen product.

    In addition, the statement also mentioned a brilliant interception of NSCDC’s Anti-vandal team from Abia state command, which foiled the attempt of pipeline vandals at Isiala Ngwa area of the state.

    The team reportedly arrested six persons who were mounting valves on pipelines with the intention to vandalise and siphon Petroleum Products.

    Okeh added that for prosecution, the suspects would be charged to court of competent jurisdiction after investigation is completed.

     

  • Current tariff regime, vandalism disincentives to investment

    Current tariff regime, vandalism disincentives to investment

    Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) is one of the distribution firms licensed last year following the unbundling of the power sector by the Federal Government.  Its areas of coverage spans Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Kogi, as well as parts of Kwara and Niger states. Its Managing Director, Fortunatus Leynes,  says ending vandalism and an upward review of cureent electricity tariff would go a long at improving power supply. He spoke in Lagos with senior journalists, Group Busines Editor, Simeon Ebulu  was there.

    From your experience in the past, will you say the the decision of the government to deregulate the power sector was right?

    Yes, because there has been an improvement in electricity supply in the country in the last one year. The government decided to deregulate the sector because of its desire to have reliable power supply in the country.

    With what has happened in the last one year, the country is gradually getting close to achieving that as electricity supply is becoming better. This is something that the country had found difficult to achieve for many years. This has been achieved because of the privatisation of the companies involved in power generation and distribution.

    Your view that electricity supply has improved may be personal to you. Some will have a contrary opinion. Do you agree?

    The facts on ground speak for themselves. I may not be able to speak for other franchise areas, but in our own franchise area, electricity supply has improved greatly. As I speak with you, the minimum number of hours of supply in most parts of our franchise area is 15. I am not saying that is enough; of course we are working to improve on that but that is the fact. Electricity supply has improved. If there are areas that are getting less than 10 hours of supply, it must be due to a local problem which will be addressed.

    What are the challenges you have to confront before coming this far?

    The major challenge we have had is insufficient power supply from the national grid. This means that we do not have enough power to distribute to our customers. Unfortunately, many of the customers do not seem to understand the way it goes; they do not realise that we cannot distribute more than we receive from the grid.

    We are the ones they blame whenever there is inadequate supply of electricity. But it is pertinent to note that as a distribution company, we are at the tail-end of the electricity supply chain. It is what is delivered to us that we distribute to our customers. However, we understand the way they feel and we are doing our best to address their concern.

    Another challenge we face is tariff. I want to tell you that the tariff we take from the customers is too low. The tariff is not enough for us to finance the purchase of transformers, lines, poles, wires and other electrical equipment needed for our operations.

    We also have the challenge of vandalism. Very often, members of the public vandalise our equipment and facilities. This has not been helpful to us at all. It has resulted in huge financial losses to our company. The implication of this is that the resources that should have been deployed to increasing capacity would be used to effect repairs. So, downtime will continue to be high for as long as our equipment and installations are vandalised.

    We have appealed to all our customers to see our facilities as their property and protect them because it is only when the facilities are allowed to function very well that we can assure them of regular power supply.

    We have also called on communities to ensure the security of the facilities for the good of all. The importance of regular supply of electricity cannot be overemphasised, but one way of guaranteeing this is for the people to desist from vandalising our facilities because it is these facilities that will ensure that electricity gets to houses and offices.

    What options do you have about increasing the power supplied to you from the national grid?

    You know we are not the only one in the business; so there is a limit to what we can receive from the national grid. Until power generation improve, there’s very little we can do because whatever is generated has to be shared among the distribution companies.

    However, we are planning to augment our supply through embedded power generation. This is our way of increasing power supply to our network and it will enable us to increase power supply to our customers. We have already communicated our intention to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and we are awaiting their response. We shall start work on it as soon as we get the go ahead from NERC.

    How will the embedded power generation work?

    We shall have a number of this in different parts of our franchise areas and add to our network. We shall not add the power so generated to the national grid, it will go straight into our own network. We are taking this step because we owe it a duty to our customers to supply them regular electricity. What they expect from us, is service, not excuses. As far as they are concerned, whenever there is power outage, it is our fault; they do not want to know whether we receive enough power supply from the grid or not, that is not their business. It is our belief that by taking this route to increase power supply, we shall be adding value to them and improving the overall electricity supply in the country.

    Are you going to add power generation to your original mandate of power distribution?     

    No, we are not the ones that will be generating the power. We plan to engage different companies in the embedded power generation scheme, but they know that whatever they are able to generate we shall buy from them. That is part of the beauty of the deregulation of the sector.

    So, to answer your question, we shall remain a power distributing company;  we have no intention of adding power generation to what we are doing. We are motivated to do this because of our determination to give first class services to our customers.

    Is achieving uninterrupted electricity supply in this country such a tall dream?

    Honestly, the way to get that is what the government has embarked upon and that is deregulating the sector so that private people with requisite experience and technical know-how can come into the sector. At the risk of sounding immodest, I want to say that in the last one year, our company has been able to improve power supply in our franchise areas.

    One thing Nigerians should realise is that investment and appropriate technology follow liberalisation and deregulation of critical sectors. With the deregulation of the sector, investments will come from far and near and so will latest technology. These are two critical factors for having uninterrupted power supply.

    For instance, apart from the initial investment that our company made in this business, we are currently discussing with a consortium of banks to raise $160million which we want to inject into the business. This money will be used to improve facilities in our network.

    Why are we able to do this? It is because we are a private business. If it were a government business, the bureaucracy involved will make it difficult. By the time the money is released, the technology for which it is meant would have become out-dated.

    Private businesses are result-oriented, they want to get the result that will make their businesses sustainable. This can only be assured when they deliver quality services to their customers and the only way to deliver quality services is by continuous investment in the business. That has been the secret of the improvement in electricity supply in the last one year.

    I know that Nigerians are justifiably impatient about having regular electricity supply, but they should just give us some time. Now, I speak for our company because I don’t know what others are doing. We are trying to attract the right people and inculcate in them the right attitude. We are also investing in the right technology to drive the network. With all that we are doing, in the next two to three years, our company will make the difference. I can assure you.

    How close are you to achieving your set objectives?

    I will be honest with you, it has not been easy because when our business plan was developed, it was based on some parameters- such as customer count and amount of power available. But when we got into the business, the reality on ground was different from what we were told. This has largely affected our operations. We have had to review our targets in line with the reality on ground.

    So, to be factual, we have not achieved all that we thought we would achieve in one year. But altogether, it has been a good year and we are looking forward to a better outing next year.

    What are your views on the regulation of the power sector in Nigeria?

    I will say the power sector in the country is a highly regulated one and at this stage of the sector, I think it is necessary. The regulator of the sector, the NERC, is very strict about compliance. Non-compliance with laid down rules attracts serious sanctions. This has been helpful to both the operators and our customers as it keeps us on our toes, knowing that an agency is watching. What we all want is regular supply of electricity for the improvement of our lives and businesses.We, as an organisation, play by the rules. So, we do not have any problem with the regulators.

     How were you able to manage the transformation from a publicly owned agency to a private one?

    One of the good things that the government did with the privatisation is the decision to pay the terminal benefit of all staff of the legacy company. That means we could start on a fresh note. It gave us the freedom to pick the best hands in the legacy company and blend with the best hands from outside and the combination has been wonderful. As our customers will attest, power supply has improved greatly. Some areas enjoy 22 hours of electricity supply, some 18, some 15. These are by no means the best, but considering where the power sector was, it is a huge improvement.

    Talking about how we were able to achieve this, efficient management of resources, regular training of our workforce, deployment of world class technology and prompt responses to complaints, were key, and still are.

    I give you an example. The substation at Akanran/Olorunsogo in Ibadan was destroyed by some irate youths in January, 2012. Nothing was done about that for about three years. The people were left in darkness for almost three years. Of course this had a negative effect on businesses in that area and it also meant a loss of revenue for the company.

    As a private business that is not dependent on subvention from government, we knew we had to do something about it, especially because our mission is distributing power, transforming lives.

    We spent about N150 million to renovate the substation. The people are happy with us for putting an end to their pains; we are happy with ourselves for transforming the lives of our customers.

    You said the tariff you charge is too low. What in your view would be the ideal tariff?

    I cannot give you a figure because it is NERC that announces the tariffs and it depends on some parameters to arrive at these. We just think that considering what goes into the business, the tariff should be a bit higher. But then the final say lies with NERC, there is no point second-guessing the Commission.

    So what should be your customers’ expectation as you start your second year?

    Our customers should expect improved services as we put in more money to buy transformers and rehabilitate our electrical facilities. We have the plan to replace all obsolete equipment we inherited from PHCN, but they should know that this will definitely take some time.

    As part of our first anniversary activities,  we are upgrading transformers to various  communities across the franchise area. Thi s is targeted at improving power supply to  them.

  • Tribunal on BRT buses’ vandalism holds sitting

    Tribunal on BRT buses’ vandalism holds sitting

    The tribunal of inquiry into the road traffic accident as well as subsequent arson and destruction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses will hold its inaugural sitting today at Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Ade Ipaye, who disclosed this in a statement at the weekend, stated that the tribunal will commence public hearing as from tomorrow and end sitting on Friday, September 26, 2014 at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, (T Block), Alausa.

    The panel, which is to be chaired by retired Justice Ebenezer Adebajo, also has Mr. Nurudeen Ogbara, a lawyer, and Mr. Jude Igbanoi, the Deputy Law Editor of Thisday Newspapers as members.

  • Fed Govt opts for ships to beat vandalism, others

    Fed Govt opts for ships to beat vandalism, others

    The Federal Government may have found a solution to pipeline vandalism – but at a huge cost.

    It has started using ships to supply crude oil to  refineries to sustain uninterrupted product supply.

    Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, said at the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) conference and exhibition in Lagos that the ship supply would shoot up the cost of refining a barrel of crude by $7.52. represented by the Deputy Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. Emmanuel Bekee, the minister said: “It is common knowledge that the oil industry has been plagued with a plethora of challenges that have negatively impacted on our ability to meet national crude oil production target, loss of revenue to investors, environmental degradation and sometimes loss of lives, among others.

    “The most prominent among these is theft related vandalism leading to significant production deferments, theft and decline in revenue to the investors, which include the country and the international oil companies (IOCs).

    “The development though not completely new, rather metamorphosed to the current trend and scale from community agitation for resource control, pipeline sabotage to attract contracts for remediation, militant activism and theft of condensate and refined products.

    “Due to theft related vandalism, crude oil supply to our domestic refineries remain constrained thus affecting our refining uptime and volume. In order to mitigate this anomaly, the option of crude transportation by marine vessels has been deployed thereby increasing the operating cost of refining by an additional $7.52 per barrel.”

    The implication of the increased cost in refining is that the subsidy reimbursement for refined products especially for premium motor spirit (petrol), which dropped significantly last year when compared to 2011 subsidy scam, will shoot up again. Money spent on fuel subsidy in 2011 was in excess of N2 trillion, which reduced to N1 trillion in 2013 but as things are currently, 2014 subsidy payment may be close to or more than N2 trillion.

    Mrs Alison-Madueke, however, assured that relevant government agencies and companies are collaborating with other stakeholders to find sustainable solution the problem.

    She said: “NNPC in collaboration with relevant stakeholders organised a security workshop to discuss and proffer strategy for improving the security of crude supply and evacuation of refined products to and from the refineries.

    “Far-reaching solutions and combination of strategies were adopted and are being recommended to the Federal Government. Nigeria needs to recognise and declare the pipelines as national assets. The next step is to organise and harmonise its institutions responsible for pipeline infrastructure protection, and invest appropriately in this light for effectiveness.”

  • Vandalism: EKo DISCO woos police

    As part of efforts to tackle vandalism of electricity equipment and harassment of its workers by some customers, the management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), is soliciting the assistance of security agencies in Lagos State.

    Its Managing Director/Chief Executive Engr. Oladele Amoda, who spoke when he led the company’s management team on the courtesy visit to Lagos State Commissioner of Police, commended the police for its good job at securing electricity installations against vandalism in the company’s area of operations.

    He solicited more assistance from the police in order to successfully combat the menace. Amoda said aside  vandalism, the assistance of police and other security agencies would also be needed in preventing harassment and violent attacks on the workers of the company while on official duties by some people he referred to as criminally-minded people in the society.