Salvage Oil Theft, Uzodinma Charges Investigative Panel

By Jennifer John

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has made it clear to the Chairman and members of the federal government Special Investigative Panel on Oil Theft that the entire nation solely relies on them for reprieve in the issue of oil theft which has greatly depleted Nigeria’s crude oil production and consequently dealt a big blow on the county’s economy.

Uzodimma made this assertion at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Owerri, while addressing the chairman and members of the panel who called on him, Monday.

He expressed joy that the men and women who made up the committee were people with enviable pedigrees and made it clear to them that the job was not going to be easy, as it requires courage and a high sense of patriotism for national interest to save the situation.

He regretted that vessels come into Nigerian waters without proper surveillance to know what they are carrying.

“Sometimes they come empty, and on getting to Nigerian waters they switch off their engines and enter into the creeks.

He wondered if it is the small quantities of crude that local oil bunkers steal in gallons that are depreciating the nation’s crude oil output to the tune of millions of barrels.

He pointed out that the country’s internal security has been compromised and reposed total hope in the committee to salvage the situation, urging them to forge alliances with stakeholders to be able to protect Nigeria’s crude oil deposit, which he described as the only source of income for the country.

According to the governor, the situation was worse in 2020 when he came in, but through concerted effort, with the security agencies, they have been able to wage a successful war against the menace.

Fielding questions from newsmen, the interim administrator of the federal government amnesty program, and Chairman of the Special Investigative Panel on Oil Theft, Mag. Gen. Bayo Diomon (Rtd.) said members of the committee were in the state as part of their investigative engagements.

“We are here to meet the governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, to get his perspective on the menace of crude oil theft because Imo is one of the major oil-producing states in Nigeria”.