JUST IN: Senate Appoints Senator Ned Nwoko To Chair Ad Hoc Committee On Crude Oil Theft

The Senate has appointed Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, as the chairman of its ad hoc committee on crude oil theft. The announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday, February 11.

Notably, the creation of this ad hoc committee was a direct outcome of a motion sponsored by Senator Nwoko on July 25, 2023, titled “Need to Investigate the Incessant and Nefarious Acts of Crude Oil Thefts in the Niger Delta and the Actors.” Following the motion, the Senate resolved to take decisive action to tackle the menace of crude oil theft by setting up the committee with a clear mandate, including:

•Investigating the involvement of security forces, militia groups, local communities, and oil company employees in crude oil theft.

•Directing security agencies to deploy advanced surveillance technologies, such as aerial drones, to safeguard oil installations and curb theft.

•Urging federal and state governments to establish conflict resolution mechanisms involving International Oil Companies (IOCs), host communities, and security agencies to address the root causes of oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

•Mandating the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to engage host communities, local and state government officials, IOCs, and security agencies in the protection of oil pipeline infrastructure.

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While moving the motion, Senator Nwoko stressed the devastating impact of oil theft on Nigeria’s economy and the plight of oil-producing communities. He noted that five out of the nine local government areas in his senatorial district are major contributors to the nation’s crude oil and gas production. Yet, these communities continue to suffer extreme poverty, with little to no access to clean water, electricity, healthcare, social services, or employment opportunities.