The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has urged the Federal Government to improve security on oil pipelines to increase crude oil production. The group cited ongoing sabotage and theft as major factors limiting output, stressing that current efforts have not yielded sustainable results. PETROAN commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, for steps taken so far to stabilise production. However, the association noted that without stronger, coordinated protection of pipelines, gains would remain fragile. It recommended a comprehensive security framework involving military, community engagement, and surveillance technology.
Praising Ojulari's efforts while calling for more pipeline security exposes a cycle of temporary fixes in Nigeria's oil sector. The fact that PETROAN feels the need to reiterate this advice shows past interventions have failed to deliver lasting protection. If the same requests keep resurfacing without structural change, Nigerians should expect more production losses and revenue shortfalls. This is not a security challenge alone but a measure of institutional inertia.
