By BENJAMIN ORISEMEKE, Abuja –
Chairman of UBA Banking Group and Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, has stated that the reason Nigeria cannot meet its crude oil production quota and benefit from high oil prices is due to oil theft.
Elumelu, who disclosed this in a series of tweets, urged that by 2023, Nigeria must be on a strong trajectory for progress and development.
He said he has been listening to colleagues at his office bemoan the very pressing issues that they face every day in the country, and how things have been getting worse, resulting in no electricity for 5 days, hikes in the price of diesel, frightening food inflation, amongst others.
He said, “How can a country so rich in natural resources have 90 percent of its citizens living in hardship and poverty? I have often said that access to electricity is critical for our development, alleviation of poverty and hardship. And speaking of security, our people are afraid!.”
He also warned that businesses are suffering and Nigeria is losing 95 percent of oil production to oil thieves, citing the Bonny terminal oil theft that should be receiving over 200k barrels of crude oil daily, instead it receives less than 3,000 barrels.
“How can we be losing over 95% of oil production to thieves? Look at the Bonny Terminal that should be receiving over 200k barrels of crude oil daily, instead, it receives less than 3,000 barrels, leading the operator Shell to declare force majeure.
“It is clear that the reason Nigeria is unable to meet its OPEC production quota is not because of low investment but because of theft, pure and simple!
“Meanwhile, oil-producing countries are smiling as their foreign reserves are rising. What is Nigeria’s problem? We need to hold our leaders more accountable!” he said.
He stated that evil prevails when good people are silent, urging Nigerians to demand and advocate for leaders that will deliver in 2023 elections.
“Nigeria must be on a strong trajectory for progress and development,” he added.
The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has revealed that Nigeria’s crude oil production fell to 1.417 million barrels per day in the month of February compared to 1.427 for the month of January.
The oil cartel also warned that “Higher food costs related to the geopolitical tensions could further fuel inflation.
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