According to Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state, over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s crude stolen in Niger Delta region is exported to refineries in Europe , Asia and America , while the remaining 20 per cent is refined locally under the aegis of illegal refineries which are now being destroyed by security agents, Daily Independent reports.

Speaking during the commissioning of Olorunshogo power station during the weekend Uduaghan said the Federal Government is working in partnership with foreign countries and international agencies to track the refineries where Nigerian sweet crude which ranked as one of the best crudes, is refined with the view of stopping the tide of stealing the nation’s oil.

The Governor explained that Government has reinforced the operation of security agents who now patrol both in onshore, swamp and deepwater offshore locations where oil is produced with the aim of reducing the incidence of crude oil theft in the country.

He urged oil companies that have not embraced the latest technology used to track the breakage oil pipeline to do so as the device goes a long way to reduce the act of oil and gas pipeline breakage.