Introduce Advance Cargo Declaration, EFCC Urges Oil Producing Companies

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, at the weekend called on major oil producing companies in Nigeria to consider the introduction of advance cargo declaration on crude export as a measure to discourage the theft of Nigerian Crude oil.

The EFCC boss who spoke while members of the Oil Producers Trade Section of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, came on a courtesy visit to the commission, expressed optimism that advance cargo declaration of crude export with unique tracking will deter the theft of Nigerian crude at the export terminals but discourage off takers who would be unwilling to accept such cargoes.

According to the EFCC Boss, “We need to have an advance Cargo declaration on our crude oil export, because we found out that there is theft even at the terminals.

“Unfortunately, IOCs like yours insist that there is nothing like that, that it is impossible to happen.

“But I believe we have conducted a case here at the EFCC where we were able to establish that crude that was taken is different from the one that was discharged and we keep on wondering, what is happening? So, that means there is a problem.

“And I believe you know what advance cargo declaration means? You have to declare in advance what your cargo is carrying and then you will be given the unique cargo tracking note on all the exports that you are making.”