The Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority have agreed to explore the adoption of advanced technologies to enhance monitoring and control of petroleum product movement throughout the supply chain.
This was contained in a communiqué jointly signed by the National Security Adviser, NCS, NMDPRA, NNPC, and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, among others, after a stakeholder meeting on petroleum product smuggling held on Monday at the Officer of the National Security Adviser.
The meeting was convened and chaired by the National Security Adviser.
Part of the resolutions at the meeting include launching a comprehensive public awareness campaign to educate Nigerians on the detrimental effects of petroleum smuggling on the nation’s economy and security.
The communiqué read in part, “This campaign would be a joint effort of all participating agencies, leveraging various media platforms to reach all segments of society.
“The NNPC Ltd. and NMDPRA, in collaboration with the NCS, agreed to explore the adoption of advanced technologies to enhance monitoring and control of petroleum product movement throughout the supply chain.”
It added that the stakeholders at the gathering publicly disassociated themselves from smuggling activities and committed to implementing stricter internal controls even as they agreed to cooperate fully with the NCS and other agencies in identifying and reporting suspected smuggling activities.
The communiqué also disclosed that a formal mechanism was established for regular feedback from stakeholders on anti-smuggling efforts.
“This includes periodic review meetings of the operation, with participation from all relevant agencies and associations,” it stated.
They also called on the need to support Operation Whirlwind, for stronger collaboration between the service, NMDPRA, NNPC, and other security agencies.
They maintained that there is a need for the establishment of a center for linkages and collaboration, bringing together all relevant stakeholders, calling on the need for improved information sharing and joint operations to combat smuggling more effectively.
“The meeting acknowledged the significant costs associated with anti-smuggling operations. A resolution was passed to advocate for increased budgetary allocation for Operation Whirlwind, with support from all participating agencies.
“The Operation Whirlwind team, with support from other agencies, will develop a strategy to actively engage community leaders in border areas as partners in the fight against smuggling,” the communiqué stated.
They also agreed that the NSA would work with relevant government bodies to implement existing laws, aiming to strengthen penalties for smuggling and provide greater legal backing for anti-smuggling operations, “the forum encouraged NCS to prosecute offenders,”
The communiqué added that the service would collaborate with NMDPRA and NNPC Ltd to develop a long-term, sustainable strategy for combating petroleum smuggling, adding that the platform would be reviewed and updated annually under the supervision of the NSA.
The communiqué also stated that a joint monitoring team, comprising representatives from all participating agencies and associations, was established to monitor the implementation of these resolutions and to provide periodic progress reports to the NSA.
“The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from all parties to work collaboratively towards eliminating petroleum smuggling and ensuring the integrity of Nigeria’s petroleum supply chain,” the communiqué concluded.
Credit: punchng.com
