Nigerian Navy Monday, disclosed that an estimated N11. 08 billion revenue was lost to illegal oil refining, and theft of AGO and PMS.
It gave a breakdown as follows: 277, 040 barrels of crude oil, 23. 1 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 212, 610 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and 1. 2 million litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).
The Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Mackson Kadiri, made the disclosure at the first quarter media dialogue held at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja.
“In summary, the quantity of crude oil lost as a result of illegal oil refining activities in 2018 is about 277, 040, while about 23. 1 million litres of AGO, 212, 610 litres of PNS and 1 2 million litres of DPK were also lost.
“This is just the summary of crude oil and other products seized in 2018 alone. All of these products are valued at about N11.08 billion”, Kadiri said.
He went further to note that between 2016 and 2018, 128 vessels were arrested over maritime-related crimes.
This was as he regretted the delay in prosecution/of cases by the authorities concerned.
According to Kadiri, “Now, let’s look at the profile of the arrest of ships involved in maritime crime in Nigeria, between 2016 and 2018.
“Forty five in 2016, thirty seven in 2017, and forty six in 2018. Vessels arrested and handed over to the various prosecuting agencies of government”.
Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Belgory Ibe-Enwo had, earlier in his address of welcome, explained that the dialogue was initiated, in a bid to project the activities of the Navy within the maritime domain.
Ibe-Enwo, who represented the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, assured of the Navy’s readiness to provide adequate security for the general elections.
In a related development, the Navy has discloses that at least 101,000 applicants had registered for its ongoing recruitment.
Navy Secretary, Rear Admiral FF. Ogu, who made the disclosure, said the number may increase to 200, 000 at the close of registration on March 4.
Notwithstanding he said only a 1000 applicants will be taken, eventually. “As you are aware, the registration process for the recruitment is ongoing as at today, we have a total of 101,000 completed registrations that means 101,000 persons have indicated interest.
“The process is open until the march 4 so we are expecting that at the end of the process, we will have up to 200,000 registrations. We are taking just one set for this recruitment. We are taking just a thousand plus intake for this recruitment”, Ogu stated.
Stella Enenche, Abuja
