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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Federal Government’s investigative panel on oil theft and losses headed by Barry Ndiomu has, again, vowed to fish out and decisively deal with oil theft.
Ndiomu, who is also the interim administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), gave the assurance, yesterday, when he led members of the panel on a visit to the Delta State Government.
He disclosed that members of the panel had started visiting sites, oil platforms, and engaging key stakeholders that would provide useful information to aid their task.
The PAP boss, while soliciting support, also assured that recommendations of the panel would not go the way of other committees and panels set up by previous governments.
The oil theft and losses investigative panel was inaugurated last December by the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno.
Ndiomu said there has been remarkable improvements in crude oil production in the country and attributed it to the recent engagement by the Federal Government of Tantita Security Services Limited.
According to him, the security firm owned by former agitator, Government Ekpemukolo (Tompolo) has been able to track oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa commended the Federal Government for setting up the panel and admitted that the nation was losing billions of naira due to oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Kingsley Otuaro, noted that the losses incurred by the nation due to oil theft and pipeline vandalism was alarming and affecting the country’s mono-economy which is highly dependent on proceeds from crude oil.
He called on stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to work together to curb crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
Okowa recalled that several committees and panels have been set up in the past by successive governments without any positive outcome. He, therefore, expressed hope that the panel would not go the same way, as its recommendations, if implemented, would help unravel the effects, causes and proffer lasting solutions to the menace.
The vice presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) promised to furnish the panel with relevant information that would assist in carrying out its assignment. He added that his administration had taken deliberate steps by providing structures to help curb the phenomenon of pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.
He listed the Delta State Waterways and Land Security, the Delta State Committee Against Oil Assets Destruction, among others which are aimed at deepening engagements with stakeholders in the sectors to prevent oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
