Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri has appealed to leaders of some communities in the Niger Delta to concentrate on agriculture.
According to him, currently, a litre of palm oil is more expensive than a litre of crude oil, he therefore advised leaders to speak to people in their location about the dangers of crude oil theft.
He made the appeal during a courtesy visit paid to him at his office by leaders of communities in the Niger Delta region.
The minister called on all citizens, especially those within the communities directly affected and across the nation, to understand the severe and widespread implications of meddling with oil facilities and engaging in illegal bunkering.
He said it is a collective responsibility to safeguard Nigeria’s environment, natural resources, and the livelihoods of individuals in oil-producing regions.
According to him, preventing these activities is not only economically beneficial but also crucial for the long-term preservation of Nigeria’s resources and well-being.
He said: “Anytime there is a spill, the companies engage with relevant government agencies and engage the communities that are affected from time to time to find the appropriate compensation for them. Unless it is sabotage; these people who are doing illegal refining every day are vandalizing the pipelines to take crude because of the activities of our people.