Former NNPC Staff Arrested For Vandalising Pipeline

LAGOS — Operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Task Force on anti pipeline vandalism have arrested a former staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Bashiru Majorette, while allegedly siphoning petroleum product at Odi Ifediwo area of Ogun State. Preliminary investigation, according to officer in-charge of the unit, Friday Ibadin,an Assistant Commissioner of Police, revealed that the suspect was dismissed from the NNPC following his alleged connivance with pipeline vandals.

Press Release: Pres. Jonathan, Remove The NNPC Pipeline That's Stopping Ajaokuta From Working.

An NNPC pipeline in Escravos River is the albatross of the steel behemoth that has underperformed

BY BONAVENTURE MELAH


An oil pipeline belonging to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that passes through the Escravos River in Warri, Delta State, is the major obstacle militating against the operations of the Ajaokuta Steel Company located in Kogi State.

Ajaokuta Steel Company is the largest integrated steel company in West Africa; and has cost the federal government an estimated $7 billion (N1.1 trillion) since it was commissioned by the Shehu Shagari government in 1979.

In an exclusive interview with a former top management officer of the company, who did not want his name published, it was gathered that successive ministers and other top officials of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development have preferred to ignore this issue in order to be assured of the regular government funding that has continued to flow into making the company work.