PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Libya: NOC warns of the danger of smuggling petroleum products from Libya
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) – The Libyan National Oil Company (NOC) has warned of the danger of illegal oil trafficking from Libya to foreign countries, particularly to European countries like Italy and Malta.
In a communiqué issued Wednesday, the NOC said government authorities should assume their responsibilities to preserve the country’s oil potentials and end the "bloodshed" caused by smuggling, which impacts negatively on the lives of the citizens and the resources of the nation.
NOC says it supplies oil to the international market only through Brega Petroleum Marketing Company, which in turn stocks and distributes oil through certified channels via authorized companies.
The NOC warning comes days after the arrest in Italy of oil traffickers from Libya whose nationalities was not revealed.
In June 2014, the Libyan government noted a rise in illegal oil trafficking by boats and through pipelines to Malta.
It said that the phenomenon was now a threat to the Libyan government and had negative impacts on the country’s security.
The oil traffickers seize the opportunity of the deterioration of security in Libya to indulge in oil trafficking to neighbouring countries and to introduce alcoholic drinks and drugs in the country.
In Libya, oil is subsidised by the government to the tune of 800 million Libyan dinars.
Oil is sold at 200 dirhams per litre or twice less expensive than mineral water.
Because of the low price of oil in Libya, there has been an increase in the smuggling of petroleum products to neighbouring countries, particularly Tunisia, where it is resold at a more expensive price.
-0- PANA BY/JSG/MSA/VAO 29July2015
In a communiqué issued Wednesday, the NOC said government authorities should assume their responsibilities to preserve the country’s oil potentials and end the "bloodshed" caused by smuggling, which impacts negatively on the lives of the citizens and the resources of the nation.
NOC says it supplies oil to the international market only through Brega Petroleum Marketing Company, which in turn stocks and distributes oil through certified channels via authorized companies.
The NOC warning comes days after the arrest in Italy of oil traffickers from Libya whose nationalities was not revealed.
In June 2014, the Libyan government noted a rise in illegal oil trafficking by boats and through pipelines to Malta.
It said that the phenomenon was now a threat to the Libyan government and had negative impacts on the country’s security.
The oil traffickers seize the opportunity of the deterioration of security in Libya to indulge in oil trafficking to neighbouring countries and to introduce alcoholic drinks and drugs in the country.
In Libya, oil is subsidised by the government to the tune of 800 million Libyan dinars.
Oil is sold at 200 dirhams per litre or twice less expensive than mineral water.
Because of the low price of oil in Libya, there has been an increase in the smuggling of petroleum products to neighbouring countries, particularly Tunisia, where it is resold at a more expensive price.
-0- PANA BY/JSG/MSA/VAO 29July2015
