young unemployed men steal crude oil from pipelines, then refine it in the creek of the nigh-- nigher deltaey say this belongs to the community. >> they are eating our money. so when you have something and somebody is eating it. you will be pleased with it. you will be angry. so we're looking for how to get back at it. >> reporter: the men claim to produce around 60,000 liters a day. look at what this business is doing to the environment. this place used to be lush and green. there are more than 200 refineries in the area but they say they need the money so they can look after their families. falling global oil prices mean that problems keep priel priel -- piling up. >> translator: there is no money. and when you go to the market to buy things you cannot buy the way you want to buy. >> reporter: a well-armed joint task force made of up forces from all security sectors patrol the creeks. oil accounts for about 15% of nigeria's gross domestic product, but makes up to 75 to 80% of government revenues. government finances have been hammered by the slide in world oil prices. >> it has been very

young unemployed men steal crude oil from pipelines and then refine it in the creek of the nigher delta say this resource belongs to the community, not the nigerian government or oil companies. >> they are eating our money, so when you have something and somebody is eating it you will be unpleased with it so we're looking for how to get back at it. >> reporter: the main claim to produce around 60,000 liters a day from the improvised refineries. look at what this business is doing to the environment. this place used to be lush and green. there are more than 200 refinery theres the area but they say they need the money so they can look after their families. falling global oil prices mean less money for them. prices of basic commodities are rising. >> when you go to the market to buy [ inaudible ] you cannot buy what you want to buy. >> reporter: a well-armed joint task force patrol the creeks. oil accounts for about 15% of nigeria's gross.com domestic product, but makes up to 60, 70% of the government finances. >> it has been very tough. almost 40% of the revenues we get wipe off. and, i