Baru noted that, “The corporation has outlined plans to establish a security advisory council aimed at bringing a lasting solution to the perennial problem of pipeline vandalism and sundry security challenges bedevilling the oil and gas industry.
Browsing: oil pipeline vandalisation
According to the bureau, the oil sector contributed 10.29 per cent of the total GDP, marginally lower from the share recorded in the corresponding period of 2015, yet higher from the share in fourth quarter of 2015 by 2.24 per cent points.
On the possibility of using force if talks between the government and militants break down, Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, said: “It cannot be ruled out.”
“Government is still committed to dialogue and whereby this cannot go on – then there could be resort to other means. The non-kinetic (force) means has always been the source first before government can recourse to the kinetic means.”
Many industry watchers acknowledged to our correspondent that in the face of collapsed oil prices and continuing uncertainty in the global crude market, and giving the country’s singular reliance on oil for economic survival, the government needs to engage the militant groups if there is to be any hope of peace in the region, which will allow for the exploitation of crude resources.
“The 2016 budget plan was based on 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil production. However, the budget plan is now grossly impacted due to renewed militancy with about 700,000bpd of oil production curtailed due to pipeline vandalism.”
The spokesman said the company’s policies included a “specific rule pertaining to violent threats” which states that “you may not make threats of violence or promote violence, including threatening or promoting terrorism”.
It is unclear if talks have already begun. An official at the state-owned oil company told a news agency last week that the government and the Avengers had agreed to a cease-fire, a charge the group denied on its Twitter account.
