Senate Investigates Crude Oil Thefts In Niger-Delta 

By James Itodo

The Senate has mandated its Committees on Petroleum Resources, (Upstream, downstream,) Gas, Host communities and Niger Delta to conduct investigation on oil thefts in the country.

The red chamber specifically mandated the committees to investigate the actions of security forces, militia groups, local populace,all company employees, and any individuals or entities suspected to be using sophisticated methods to pilfer from oil facilities within the country.

Senate resolution was sequel to adoption of a motion at plenary in Abuja on “Urgent need to investigate incessant and nefarious acts of crude oil thefts in Niger- Delta region.

The motion was sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko and Co-sponsored by Senators Ede Dafinone and Joel Thomas.

Nwoko in the motion said that Nigeria was largely dependent on crude oil for its economic growth and development.

According to him, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that the oil sector contributed 6.33 per cent of the nation’s GDP which translated to 45.6 billion dollars in 2022.

He said the oil sector in Nigeria plays pivotal role in providing employment opportunities for millions of Nigerian citizens accounting for 70 per cent of its budget financing, while oil and gas made up 90 per cent of exports and 85 per cent of government revenue in the first quarter of 2022.

He said statistical data which has been reported over the years, indicated that pipeline vandalism, oil bunkering, has brought Nigeria Into serious socio-economic crisis.

He said current collaborative efforts involving joint task force of the military with contributions of various security entities, state and local goverments, and International Oil Companies (IOC) in the Niger Delta region have yielded positive results.

He said the efforts led to an increase in oil production, reaching 1.51 million barrels per day in the first quarter of 2023.

“This figure marks an improvement from the 1.49 million barrels per day recorded in the same quarter of 2022 and is notably higher than the production volume of 1.34 million barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2022”.

Nwoke said despite efforts of military personnel and security agencies in combating oil theft in the Niger Delta region, he alleged that individuals within the institutions engage in illicit activities.

He expressed concern over alleged accusations and counter-accusations of oil bunkering and various other crisis between the military and local militia groups.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpiabio in a remark said he believes strongly that the Armed Forces were in a better position to secure the country.

Senator Akpabio urged the committee to present its report on the investigation in six weeks.

Edited By Grace Namiji