Nigeria lost over $56bn to oil theft, subsidy in 10 years – Presidency panel
The Energy and Natural Resources subcommittees of the Advisory Council of President Bola Tinubu has revealed that Nigeria lost $46.16bn to crude oil theft between 2009 and 2020 while $10.7bn was lost annually to subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit.
The figures are contained in the Policy Advisory Council report, dated May 2023, which was prepared when Mr Tinubu was still President-elect as obtained by The Punch.
According to the report, a summation of the amounts lost to oil theft and subsidy indicated that the country lost a total of $56.86bn.
The report also stated that $70bn worth of investments was lost in the petroleum industry since 2011 due to the absence of the Petroleum Industry Act.
The report further pointed out that at seven per cent, Nigeria’s revenue to Gross Domestic Product ratio was among the five lowest in the world.
It read in part, “Insecurity is a major sector challenge. $46.16bn was lost to crude oil theft between 2009 and 2020. $10.70bn lost annually to PMS subsidy and inefficiencies associated with the purchase, distribution, and sale of PMS.
“Governance and regulatory concerns have eroded investor confidence, diverting private capital needed for the development of critical oil and gas infrastructure.
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“Cumulatively, these have reduced the energy sector contribution to economic growth and deprived citizens of the necessary infrastructure and social amenities required for improving living standards.”
The council outlined some targets to be pursued by the President between 0 to 100 days, adding that there was a need to unify the exchange rate window, reorganise the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission/Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
It said the reorganisation of the agencies would be to deliver set milestone goals, adding that there was a need to headhunt/place capable resources in critical positions.
“Head-hunt competent, tested, reform-focused leaders in NNPCL (Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited), ensuring its function as commercial entity per PIA (Petroleum Industry Act); paying taxes, royalties and profit to Federation Account and properly regulated by NUPRC/NMDPRA/NCDMB.
“Deregulate PMS pricing and implement the Federal Direct Cash Transfer Programme. Signal determination to end insecurity in oil producing states (Imo, Delta, Ondo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom) by engaging key political and community stakeholders.
“Reform the operations of the military task force with clearly defined KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and consequent management to tackle deficiencies.
Improve financing, agree on cash call arrears and debt repayment framework. Transition to market prices for gas,” the report stated.
