Nigeria, April 13 -- The Nigerian government has attributed the crude oil production shortfall recorded in the first quarter of the year to issues encountered on the Trans Niger Pipeline.

The government said the issue was also worsened by maintenance activities carried out by some oil companies operating in the country.

Nneamaka Okafor, the special adviser on media and communication to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, made this known in a statement on Friday.

Over the years, crude theft, pipeline vandalism and its negative impact on the country's economy have been a source of concern for the Nigerian government.

In February, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said Nigeria's...