Should illegal stealing of crude oil be discarded?

[Antotena]

Over the years the country have been experiencing economic sabotage and bringing to book culprits who are involved in this act and I begin to say that the nature with which this perpetrators goes through during this act is even very complex and risky and most government officials have been even using this medium to operate and nothing is being done to them so why not they leave others alone to do theirs knowing that they risk even losing their lives in this quest.

There is no any reason that is going to justify any illegal activity, what is a crime will remain a crime, the government is not stupid, they know what they are doing, they understand the process better than a layman who prefer to sabotage government resources for their own gain. Why go ahead to steal from the government when you know that it is even risky to even take your life, there are army and trained personnel that are authorized to shoot and kill any oil bunker that is found stealing the crude oil.

And even though they are not refined to the best standards but it also helps to make petroleum products more available and affordable to the public.

I believe that since our government are not ready to make things easy for her citizen, they should also allow them to develop any idea of easing the tension and hardship of the masses. And again this illegal refining of petroleum products have made some criminals to stop involving in social crimes and be committed to making money using this method. Please what are your takes on this

There is repercussion to every bad thing and that is why third law of physics is applicable to anything in life, there is consequences for every action. Stealing from the government and be using the word "affordable" is criminal. The crude oil they steal from the government and refined locally are not up to standard, they will knock your cars and machines faster than you think because they don't have good octane numbers. Have you ever imagine buying a diesel and found out that it contain some quantities of gel and gasoline, what do you think is going to happen to your engines and mechanical part that are exposed to this fake products, they will kill the economy and not only that, they will destroy market for the real available products that the government is importing to the country.

The government has every right to stop them, most of the money they have from this oil are in excess and if not care is not taken, they can be used to form a parallel government, the government is already dealing with the militants, Biafra, Bandit, and Boko haram, they can sit and watch people make illegal money to develop another group of terror group in his country, sometimes we need to be mindful of the things we wish for or want to see.

[Agbe]

I don't want to tok too much because from the topic to some of the comments just dey pissed me off. I don't know if the op and the comments I am seeing in this thread are from the core Niger Delta. This thread will make to create a thread on the Niger Delta. I don't want to argue here because if I start I will create drama in this thread. This are the things I don't want to open my two ears hear. First of all, Op I will not thank you for againsting the local production of fuel in the Niger Delta. You call it illegal and other comments also supported your idea of illegal. Jesus Christ where should I start from? Please I will ask anyone that interested to know to go and read "Peace and Conflict in Niger Delta" by Prof. Ambili Etekpe from Niger Delta University. There you will learn a lot. But before then, let highlight some of the historical background of the crude refinery. The first Oil block was found on  January 15th Sunday in 1956 by Shell. No Niger Deltan was employed in the company. Niger Deltans are fishermen and women which means they can swim very well but I can still vividly remember that shell company was bringing Yorubas and Hausas to come and learn swimming and employed them, and by then we were small so we didn't know what they were doing. And later years crude oil was discovered in other parts of the country yet all the oil blocks were/are own by Yorubas and Hausas. So in the Abacha 1 Million man match which the Niger Delta Youth was invited to a feast at Abuja that anger the youth to return to the Niger Delta and they went straight to the Creeks and start di militia process which also resulted to Asari fuel (Bunkery). My community produce crude oil but we sleep in darkness. Must we experience what we read from books and movies? Shell has been degrading the Niger Delta soil and spoiling the rivers, farm lands and none of you say anything because it is not from your area. We have water but there is no water to drink in the Niger Delta. The only thing I am against the Bunkery is the damaging of the soil and land but I believe better days are coming they will upgrade. Remember those boys that started this Bunkery were uneducated once. And if this Bunkery can bring Nigeria economy to zero I will be happy because even at the moment I am not seeing any good thing from it. Op and other supporters do you ask yourselves why Agge deepsea port and Port Harcourt Sea port are not working?  As I said, I don't want to tok plenty because only my comment go reach 5 pages. Please allow those boys to do their work that what the government want it so let it be. Me I no dey do am but those who can do to survive let them do it. That also help di boys in the region. This will make to create threads on Niger Delta Issues. There is nothing like illegal here because federal government is legally collecting the crude oil from the region with compensation to the local dwellers and if the local people ask them for peanut to survive since their way survival has been destroyed they would use federal might to threaten them. Look at Ogoni clean up for how many years now. See make una be careful   we need intellectual Militants in the Region which PEN will be the weapon.

[Onyeeze]

Illegal refineries by citizens of Nigeria I think its good for the Illegal refineries to continue, because in nigeria many states of nigeria doesn't have crude oil and out of 36 states its only 8 states or 9 states that have crude and still their is no development in all those states in nigeria.

Again we have three regions in south groups in nigeria South East, South South  and South West, in northern part of nigeria that is how they have the north, south and west even Eastern part of North, but northern the groups doesn't have oil but they are the one benefiting from oil in nigeria both their political positions and development of their environment, why in south south is where crude is being drained but no much development in such area.

The money nigeria gained from selling of crude oil per annual it can be use to make sure that they have eliminate the rate of unemployment in nigeria but they are using it for their selfish interests which is not good, so many Illegal refineries operators is being built and managed by graduates because of unemployment rate in nigeria, so many tricycles riders is graduates because their is no provision of employment.

Why I support illegal refineries is that, those citizens who is into illegal refining of crude oil knows exactly what they want and secondly they are using to feed their old parents and their own family also, instead of stealing publicly its better for them to make use of oils that spills in their environment to money, when you go close to communities involved for oil spillage you will understand that so many people in nigeria is living a hazardous live in their environment because of oil spillage and after spillage government will not come to sanitize the environment for her people to dwell in good conditions

[adultcrypto]

The truth is that the bulk of the stealing of crude is done by the people in government in connection with the security forces.  The petty theives they are chasing in the creeks of Niger Delta rarely steal 10% of the overall stolen crude. Now seeing that the people who are supposed to protect the country's treasure are those stealing it, makes the situation helpless.
In summary, nothing can be done about stolen crude unless we have a real change of government.

[Richbased]

Why should we allow them to continue vandalizing our country’s natural resources?
Is it not a crime, and it is also very risky; if the government allow them to keep vandalizing our natural resources then the country’s economy will be affected just as it has affected it already and people will be losing their lives through such act and if the death rate increases the community will blame the government for not taking proper measures.

You see you also fail to understand that most government top officials are also into this oil bunkery business and they have been doing it for a long time but nothing has been done to them as they feel they're above the law so if not for the hazards that this local refining of crudes pose to the environment, don't you know that since the government doesn't want to make things easy for the common man irrespective of the God given natural resources we have, the best thing would have just been to also do those illegal things they do to enrich themselves as well or is their anyone that doesn't deserve to be wealthy? When the foundation is faulty what do you expect the righteous ones to do?

illegal stealing of crude oil should never be allowed because it could bring a danger or environmental hazard to the people, I could remember vividly when the illegal refining was serious at the environment I domiciled people were always sick of malaria because of the black suits caused by the illegal refining of crude and those days we hardly spray a white clothes outside without being painted by black suits but perhaps I view illegal refining of crude as good and bad, the good part of it is that it reduces the rate of terrorism were as most terrorists people channels there attention to crude refining, also illegal refining of crude is bad because of the threat it posses on our environment also with there local knowledge and lack of refining equipments it could seriously affect the refining process were as crude will fail to undergo a due process of refining which could results the crude not properly separated as such posses a great danger if being used.

When you talk about the hazards illegal refining of crudes brings, what about the legal way of refining crudes? Isn't it also hazardous to the people and the environment? Do you know how it has affected the sight of people within the area of production? What about our zincs? Our zinc rust earlier than expected, what of our Ozone layers that has melted to the extent that we now feel much heat now than before. In as much as refining of crudes is concerned, be it legal or illegal it still poses hazards to our people and environment so one should not be sentimental when making judgment.

There is no any reason that is going to justify any illegal activity, what is a crime will remain a crime, the government is not stupid, they know what they are doing, they understand the process better than a layman who prefer to sabotage government resources for their own gain. Why go ahead to steal from the government when you know that it is even risky to even take your life, there are army and trained personnel that are authorized to shoot and kill any oil bunker that is found stealing the crude oil.

Who are the government? Aren't they you and I? Are they not also involved in this act over the years? Please let's call a spade a spade, in the quest to make things right, I don't think any stone should be left unturned. You see most of the crimes that our youths get involved in are being sponsored and championed my our so called leaders and government because they feel since they are in power nothing would be done to them so if they want to bring things that are illegal in this country to a hault, then they should also make sure that they are innocent of the crimes.

The truth is that the bulk of the stealing of crude is done by the people in government in connection with the security forces.  The petty theives they are chasing in the creeks of Niger Delta rarely steal 10% of the overall stolen crude. Now seeing that the people who are supposed to protect the country's treasure are those stealing it, makes the situation helpless.
In summary, nothing can be done about stolen crude unless we have a real change of government.

Thank you, you really what happening in our government. You can't remove something from someone's eyes when their is also something in your own eyes so the better the also removed their hands from illegal activities, then the better for us all as charity begins at home. You can't stop others from doing what you does.

The money nigeria gained from selling of crude oil per annual it can be use to make sure that they have eliminate the rate of unemployment in nigeria but they are using it for their selfish interests which is not good, so many Illegal refineries operators is being built and managed by graduates because of unemployment rate in nigeria, so many tricycles riders is graduates because their is no provision of employment.

Of a truth the country makes a lot of money in crudes, it's just unfortunate that some few person have hijacked these funds to their personal and selfish interest. Imagine a white man I worked with in my area told me that an hour production can feed the whole of my clan and we are about 17 populated communities in my clan, this is just in an hour o. Now think of a day production that is one hour production and see how much they're making from crudes. Although even if everyone is not employed but at least a large number of our citizens would be employed even if they are not employed they even plays individuals on monthly stipends it's still not going to shake them at all.

[CryptSafe]

Stealing of crude is illegal and economic sabotage as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. However it is not a new thing that there are recorded cases of crude oil theft in the nation but what was the outcome of it, nothing everything swept under the carpet.

Last year we were told that Navy intercepted a 300,000 metric tonnes of crude oil vessel loaded within Nigeria sea shore which was caught  and they told us that the vessel was destroyed and burnt by the Navy. Who would believe such a cock and bull tale, do you know how much that product is worth in the market? Would they not have taken it to the national reserve to load it up there while the vessel is held by the Navy for further prosecution. Many many stories we hear when ever any crude theft is about to be linked to any top official, they look for ways to cover it up but when it gets to the local refinery a.k.a kpofire, you here the news all over the broadcasting station so that people would know they are working while they are just using that to paint the people of the South black and to justify their wrong assertions.

Our refineries does not produce up to the capacity to supply the whole nation consumption rate just In a week not to talk of month and they at the top knows this even the so called importers knows this too so now how is it  possible that they can meet up with the regular supply which means that the local refineries are the ones sustaining the nation in terms of product supply. How many filling stations have you seen selling D.P.K, or A.G.O.? but you see DPK in shops and roads selling. How were they produced? Who produced them? These are food for thought. I believe you will have answers to them yourself so think over it and you will realise why the stealing of crude is still happening and the reasons behind it too.

[Gormicsta]

One possible answer is to prioritize creation of employment and economic growth in areas most vulnerable to economic sabotage. This might involve investment in buildings, schools, and other initiatives that enable individuals to make a life. However, I am more worried about the surroundings and health consequences of illicit refining, as well as the fact that it is a hazardous practice that can result in injuries or even death. So, this would assist in tackling the poverty and lack of opportunity that frequently cause individuals to engage in illicit activities, and we could do so with the help of contemporary advances such as drones.

[Gozie51]

And even though they are not refined to the best standards but it also helps to make petroleum products more available and affordable to the public.

At what rate is it even cheaper to the public with illegal bunkering. Illegal bunkering will not necessarily make the commodity cheaper because dem too go dey chase government price to sell theirs. So na government price go make the price get controlled downward even if the bunkering continue. Na when government sell on reduced rate then demselves go kuku drop their price.

However, apart from say na bunkering, government excuse to dey go after dem na say dem no dey do better fuel and that dey bring adulterated product to the public wey dey explode kill people. Even those wey dey do am too dey under danger. Make government arrange the refinery well make the oil begin drop na that one be number one solution for the matter.