EU delegation visits Niger Delta, evaluates  FG’s fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism

Oredola Adeola

The European Union on Thursday visited Rivers State, Nigeria, to assess the Federal Government’s efforts to curb the rising cases of oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the creeks of the Niger Delta and the impact of such activities on economic saboteurs on the country’s economy and the environment.

This was revealed by Mallam Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer(GCEO), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCLtd) on Thursday, when he  led the EU team in Nigeria to the creek.

According to him, the EU delegation visited the creek to assess the impact of such unwholesome activities of vandals on the people and the environment.

Kyari said the assessment is part of  the ongoing fight against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and vandalism of oil and gas installations.

The EU delegation was led by Mr. Matthew Baldwin (Deputy Director General, EU Commission). Other members of the team are Ms. Samuela Isopi (EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS); Ms. Cecile Leemans (Team Leader Southern Partnerships, EU Commission); Mr. Richard Young ( Head of Division West Africa, EEAS); and Mr. Thomas Kieler (Political Adviser, EU Delegation to Nigeria).

Admiral Aminu Hassan, the Commander Operations Delta Safe, also coordinated the EU delegation round the creek.