The House of Representatives has taken a resolute stance in its battle against crude oil theft and the resultant loss of revenue from the gas sector.
Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Rep. Kabiru Rurum, disclosed this ahead of the committee’s investigative hearing scheduled for September 7.
He stressed that the oil sector remains the primary source of revenue for the nation and emphasized that this investigation would differ significantly from previous attempts.
Rurum acknowledged that while oil and gas constitute the lifeblood of the country’s resources, the problem of oil theft has escalated unabated. He asserted, “The purpose of the committee is to reveal who and who are the architects of what is going on in the area of crude oil theft.”
Blaming security agencies alone would be insufficient, according to Rurum. Instead, he called for accountability from all stakeholders in the oil sector, including major players like Chevron and Shell, as well as local communities.
The primary objective of the committee is to identify the culprits responsible for crude oil theft and initiate measures to curb this ongoing issue. Rurum emphasized that all stakeholders should present their perspectives during the investigation, with the main goal being to devise strategies to prevent or minimize oil theft in the sector.
To ensure a comprehensive examination of the matter, the committee has invited various entities, including the Nigerian Navy, responsible for safeguarding the nation’s waters, as well as the Air Force, Civil Defence, Police Intelligence Agency, and others.
Rurum also highlighted the involvement of the Norwegian Embassy, which had previously pledged to assist Nigeria in curbing oil theft. Their input is expected to contribute to potential solutions.
The recommendations of this committee will be robust and comprehensive, considering the gravity of the challenges facing the oil sector. The committee is committed to collaborating closely with the National Security Adviser to address the multifaceted issues surrounding crude oil theft.
The investigation into crude oil theft and revenue loss from the oil and gas sector was initiated following a motion put forth by Rep. Philip Agbese (APC-Benue).
The House of Representatives subsequently constituted the ad-hoc committee to thoroughly examine these issues and ensure that all individuals complicit in oil theft are held accountable.
