Tunde Sholanke
Former Chief of Policy and Plans’, Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Henry Babalola (retd), has implored the federal government (FG) to charge criminals involved in oil theft for treason.
He lamented that the government is not doing enough to eradicate the menace of oil theft wrecking havicy on the nation’s revenue base.
He spoke at a seminar organized by Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN), with the theme, ‘‘Achieving presidential mandate in curbing oil theft and securing the nation’s wealth” in Abuja on Wednesday.
He recommended that those caught stealing the nation’s crude should be charged with treason,adding that the government needs to identify the supply chain of oil theft and identify the individuals involved.
He also said tthat those at the receiving end should be identified and brought to book.
He added: “It is high time the government treat the menace with urgency,” warning that “oil theft would kill the country should the government fail to act fast”.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana,in his remarks,disclosed that the nation’s efforts at achieving the Presidential mandate handed to the Ministry is being achieved simultaneously due to the adaptation of synergy among the tri-services especially in planning, coordination and implementation of actionable programmes and projects.
Represented by the Director, Army, Mr. Sunday Attah, he said, “No doubt, the Nigerian Armed Forces and Agencies of the Ministry now enjoy wider public support and understanding which have resulted in positive attitudinal change among Nigerians.
“Nigerians are now very familiar with the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in securing the country and guaranteeing the safety of Nigerians against banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.
“On this matter of oil theft before us as a nation, I call on all hands to be on deck especially the Media in the fight against this deadly menace. It is necessary to remind you that the expectations of Nigerians on the media is high and as such, you must live up to that expectation. Every story must be accurate, verifiable, credible and most importantly be relayed with high sense of patriotism and professionalism”.
Speaking,Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, said the order given by the President Muhammodu Buhari on the eradication of oil theft was yielding results.
He noted:”Before that directive, oil production went down to 900, 000 barrels per day but today it is gradually picking up and oscillating between 1.5 million and 1.6 million barrels per day”.
Represented by his Media Aide, Horatius Egua, he said the problems confronting the oil and gas industry were caused by years of neglect by past administrations.
He said, “The oil and gas industry is the most complex sector in this country. That is why some allege that in the sector, the more you look, the less you see. However, in the last 12 months, the order by the president to end oil theft in the country is beginning to yield results.
“Apart from stealing, past governments did not invest in infrastructure in the oil and gas sector for a very long time. You find pipelines rupturing; we could not get what we wanted but this administration has done much to restore infrastructure”.
“The president directed that the refineries must work and as it is presently, the Port Harcourt refinery is at 65-70 percent. Hopefully before the end of the second quarter of the year. I believe something will come out of that refinery“.