The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) has called on the Federal Government to take urgent action against crude oil theft and illegal refining to safeguard Nigeria’s resources and protect the environment.
Osagie Okunbor, SPDC’s Country Chair and Managing Director of Shell Companies in Nigeria, made the plea on Monday at the opening of the 42nd Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) in Lagos. Okunbor, represented by SPDC’s Exploration Manager, Gogo Eneyok, emphasized that addressing these issues, along with other regulatory improvements, was crucial for the success of ongoing efforts in the petroleum sector.
“The menace of crude theft and illegal refining must also be tackled to safeguard the nation’s resources and protect the environment,” Okunbor stated. He further stressed that the effectiveness of these initiatives would depend on the government’s continued efforts to enhance the regulatory environment, particularly through ongoing improvements to the Petroleum Industry Act.
SPDC reaffirmed its commitment to contributing to Nigeria’s energy security, emphasizing its investments across the upstream, midstream, downstream, and renewable energy sectors.
This year’s NAPE conference, themed “Resolving the Nigeria Energy Trilemma: Energy Security, Sustainable Growth & Affordability,” served as a platform for discussing key energy issues. Okunbor stated, “Shell, working with government, regulators, and stakeholders, is actively participating in finding a pathway through the energy trilemma. We are focused on generating maximum value and cash to power the country.”
He also highlighted Shell’s commitment to reducing emissions, noting that the company is using advanced technologies to meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets. Additionally, SPDC is increasing domestic gas delivery through a 150-kilometer distribution network in Nigeria, while initiatives by Daystar and All On are providing individuals and communities with access to cleaner and more affordable energy.
