LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Oil companies buy refined Automotive Gas Oil, commonly known as diesel, from illegal refineries in various host communities in the Niger Delta region, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited allegedly declared on Monday.
This statement was made during the Nigeria Oil and Gas Energy Week Conference in Abuja, with both international and domestic oil and gas companies in attendance, none of whom disputed the claim.
Tantita, a security firm based in Warri, Delta State, specializes in providing security solutions tailored for the oil and gas industry.
The firm currently offers security services to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
Speaking as a panellist at the session titled, “Exploring Nigerian Content Solutions to Meet Energy Demand,” the Executive Director, Operations and Technical, Tantita Security Services, Capt. Warredi Enisuoh stated that illegal refineries generate large volumes of diesel, with many downstream operators among their customers.
He noted that these operations are patronized not only by smugglers but also by oil companies.
He emphasized that the crackdown on these refineries by Tantita and other security agencies have contributed to the rising diesel prices.
READ ALSO: Dangote Refinery: Marketers Slam IOCs, Seek FG Intervention
“Why is there no scarcity of diesel while there is scarcity of PMS (Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol)? The story is simple, most of the diesel you buy is produced by the communities.
“About 90 per cent of the diesel in the fuel stations is produced by the communities. It will also interest you to know that even the oil companies patronise the local communities. Don’t let anybody deceive you, they (oil companies) also patronise the local communities,” he declared.
Enisuoh explained that to provide Nigerian content solutions to meet energy demand, concerning infrastructure, “we might need to focus more on the local communities.”
He insisted that if not for the interventions of security agencies such as his firm, the production of diesel illegally would continue to increase.
“The reason why the price of diesel is high today is because of the works of private security companies like my company Tantita Security Services.
“This is because we have been able to somehow cut down on a lot of the businesses of the illegal refineries. This is why you see the cost of diesel going up,” he stated.
On April 10, 2024, The PUNCH reported that the NNPC announced the apprehension of a tugboat carrying suspected illegally refined diesel by Tantita Security Services Limited.
The NNPC mentioned that the tugboat, which was being escorted by a marine police boat in Rivers State, was seized by Tantita’s operatives, and five individuals on board are currently undergoing interrogation by the security firm.
“On Monday, April 1, 2024, the Tantita Security Services team on patrol pursued and arrested a tugboat – Aya Oba Olori II, which was being escorted by a marine police boat in Rivers State.
“The tugboat was laden with an unspecified quantity of suspected illegally refined AGO which was loaded from a barge at Onne dock on March 31. Five persons onboard the tugboat were arrested by Tantita team and are undergoing interrogation,” NNPC had stated.
In a separate event at the NOG conference, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Gbenga Komolafe, headed Nigeria’s delegation in discussions with the African Petroleum Regulators Forum.
READ ALSO: Reps Order NUPRC To Stop Granting Divestment To Oil Companies
Komolafe stated that the forum’s members, consisting of regulators from various African nations, plan to collaborate in harnessing and effectively utilizing the continent’s 125 billion barrels of crude oil reserves.
He said, “Today marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards fostering a more collaborative, innovative, and sustainable petroleum industry in Africa.
“The establishment of the AFRIPERF signifies our commitment to working together to overcome common challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead so that we can achieve our national aspirations in the development and utilisation of our hydrocarbon resources.
“Currently, Africa holds substantial oil and gas reserves. The continent’s proven oil reserves are estimated to be around 125 billion barrels, representing approximately seven to nine per cent of the world’s total oil reserves, while the proven natural gas reserves are estimated at around 620 trillion cubic feet, which is about seven to eight per cent of the global total (Mondaq),” Komolafe stated.
He pointed out that in addition to hydrocarbon resources, Africa has significant potential for green and blue hydrogen, solar, wind, biomass, and critical minerals necessary for clean energy technologies. He also highlighted the continent’s growing young population as a substantial economic asset.