Nigeria losing 200,000 barrels of oil daily, says NNPC

Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil producer, is losing an average of 200,000 barrels of crude oil daily.

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mele Kyari, disclosed this while speaking at a meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Lucky Irabor.

Nigeria’s crude oil production rose by 208,000 barrels to 1.38 million barrels per day in January from 1.17 million bpd in December, based on direct communication, according to the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

The NNPC boss was quoted in a statement by the corporation’s spokesperson, Kennie Obateru, as saying, “We have two sets of losses, one coming from our products and the other coming from crude oil.

“In terms of crude losses, it is still going on. On the average, we are losing 200,000 barrels of crude every day.”

On his part, Irabor promised to galvanise the military to provide maximum security for the nation’s oil and gas assets.

He said, “I am delighted that you made this effort, and I tell you that the Armed Forces of Nigeria will collaborate with you to protect NNPC’s assets.”

Irabor acknowledged the role of the oil and gas sector to the economy and stated that there was a need for collaboration between the NNPC and the Armed Forces to protect oil and gas facilities.

“It is my intention to cooperate maximally with you and to give necessary instructions to all officers in the Armed Forces,” he added.