Aiteo terminates security contracts for alleged fraud and theft

Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company, the operator of the NNPCL joint venture on OML 29, has terminated its contracts with Amotoi Global Services and other surveillance security providers.

The Group Managing Director of AEEPCO, Mr. Victor Okoronkwo, disclosed this in a statement issued by the company in Lagos on Monday.

The Company has notified the public, in particular all relevant regulatory and governmental authorities within the oil and gas industry, as well as all law enforcement and security agencies, of the termination of the contract.

Aiteo has also informed all relevant third parties associated or connected with matters relating to the security of its operating facilities and infrastructure.

It listed the contractors as Mr Clement Amunaboye (trading under the name and trade name of Amotoi Global Services Ltd); Obiene M Obiene (known as the “Organizer”); Thomas Livingstone; Christophe Ezekiel Enu.

According to the company, these developments follow confirmation of the occurrence of various nefarious and damaging activities that have compromised its operations, constituting serious security breaches, manifesting high fraud and harmful criminal activity.

The company said other related violations included gross negligence and unacceptable cumulative exposure of its assets and operations, perpetrated by the named entities and by individual security contractors and service providers.

“Management advises to immediately cease all relations/transactions with them, whether jointly or separately, allegedly on our behalf.

“Any further involvement with these entities or individuals apparently connected to our company is hereby disclaimed.

“For years, our company and its stakeholders have suffered the worst consequences of crude oil theft.

“Vandalism of facilities and trafficking of crude oil not only results in substantial financial losses, but also causes serious disruption to our operations.

“Despite the painful price we have had to pay, it is particularly galling to discover that we have been harmed by the very entities or individuals who are supposed to secure our facilities and production.

“This demonstrates the depth of the degradation and the seriousness of the problem faced by producers like us and calls for further, urgent and comprehensive escalation and the implementation of corrective measures,” the statement said.

(NOPE)