– ‘Buhari blocked our efforts to acquire oilfield’
Tony Elumelu, A Prominent Nigerian Businessman, Has Called On The Government And Security Agencies To Take Immediate Action To Curb Oil Theft In Nigeria. In an interview with the Financial Times, Elumelu, who is the founder of Heirs Holdings, expressed his frustration and disappointment at the ongoing menace of oil theft in the country.
Elumelu, who has been at the forefront of the fight against oil theft, revealed that his company has been affected by the theft, which has led to significant losses in revenue. He stated that his company’s daily production of 42,000 barrels of crude is still being affected by theft, with about 18% of the production being stolen.
The billionaire entrepreneur emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the fight against oil theft.
He urged the government to take concrete steps to identify and prosecute those responsible for the theft. “We need to know who is stealing our oil,” he said. “We’re not talking about stealing a bottle of Coke you can put in your pocket. The government should know, they should tell us.”
Elumelu’s comments come as Nigeria continues to grapple with the issue of oil theft, which has contributed to the decline in international oil companies’ investment in the country.
The Nigerian government has been accused of being ineffective in tackling the problem, and many have called for greater accountability and transparency.
In addition to his concerns about oil theft, Elumelu also spoke about his company’s failed attempt to acquire an oilfield from the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He claimed that the former president and his late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, blocked the deal, citing national security concerns. Elumelu argued that this decision was illogical, as his company would have been purchasing the oilfield from a foreign company.
Elumelu’s comments are a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing Nigeria’s oil sector and the need for greater cooperation and transparency between government agencies, private operators, and international partners.
