Mark Advocates Death Penalty For Crude Oil Thieves

Senate President David Mark yesterday advocated capital punishment for crude oil theft in Nigeria.

Mark canvassed this position in Abuja during his address to his colleagues resuming after their two-week recess.

“I have had occasion to comment on the escalating issue of oil theft. This will have devastating effect on the economy if not checked.

“We must therefore address it squarely. I still maintain that oil theft should attract capital punishment,” he said.

Mark noted that the third session of the 7th Senate would be very engaging as there were many tasks to be accomplished.

According to him, the tasks include consideration of report of the Committee on Constitution Review and passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

He noted that the nation expected the senators to adopt a bipartisan approach and rise above “narrow and parochial considerations” in our deliberations.

“I enjoin all of us not to depart from the sobriety, maturity and somberness that have been the hallmark of our debates since the beginning of the 7th Senate.’’

He said the Senate would begin consideration of the report of the Constitution Review Committee on July 2, and that voting would be done individually and not by voice vote.

Meanwhile, the Senate has confirmed the nomination of Sen. Ken Nnamani as the Chairman, Governing Board of the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC), along with six other members.

The confirmation followed the consideration of the report submitted by the Sen. Ayogu Eze-led Committee on Works.

Eze had said that the committee found all the nominees competent and capable of serving on the board.

L-R:Senator Nenadi Usman, Senator Chris Ngige, and Senator Sonni Ogbuoji as they resumed after two weeks break in Abuja, yesterday.