Nigeria Navy Website On Oil Theft

Nigerian Navy has inaugurated a new website on crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in furtherance of the directive of President Goodluck  Jonathan to ensure that crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism be wiped out from the nation’s maritime environment.

The website, www.cot.navy.mil.ng, provides details on exploration, nominations, approvals, movement and trans-shipment of petroleum products as promulgated by relevant authorities.

It also serves as a platform to share information, exchange ideas with the international community and reports of suspicious activities.

A statement by the Director of Information,Nigeria Navy,  Commodore Kabir Aliyu in Abuja on Wednesday said the website would create the desired global awareness on the scourge of oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

“For the benefit of doubt, the only authorised agency that is allowed to nominate, approve lifting, movement and trans-shipment of petroleum products by whatever means of transportation is the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation,” he said.

“In the light of this, any vessel not nominated or approved to lift petroleum products by NNPC has contravened established regulations relating to lifting/transportation of petroleum products and is therefore liable for prosecution as provided by law,” it added.

The Navy advised members of the public to report any information concerning illegal activities relating to petroleum products to the Nigerian Navy, other  security agencies, NNPC, Directorate of Petroleum Resources and the Nigeria Police for necessary action.

It warned against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering, and noted that culprits will be prosecuted and sanctioned accordingly.