EFCC Solicits NSCDC’s Cooperation In Fight Against Illegal Oil Bunkering

The Head of the Port Harcourt Zonal  Office  of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Usman Imam, has solicited cooporation of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in its quest to nip the issue of illegal oil bunkering in Niger Delta region in the bud.
Mr Imam, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Rivers State Command of the NSCDC   recently in Port Harcourt.
He  said  that the Commission expected the collaboration of all stakeholders in its attempt to reduce illegal oil activities in the area.
According to him, the commission will be happier, if the synergy with the sister agency and others will eradicate permanently, the menace of illegal oil operations in the entire Niger Delta.
“The mandate I have from the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, is to bring illegal oil bunkering to the barest minimum, if we cannot stop it. I want to bring all stakeholders on board with a view to achieving this. I look forward to a wonderful working relationship with the NSCDC,” he said.
The EFCC  Port Hacourt Zonal Head, also noted that the NSCDC’s mandate of protecting critical infrastructure corroborated that of  the EFCC, which he said was  safe guarding the nation’s economy via crime fighting.
He further,  commended both agencies on what he described as long standing relationship between them and added  that his priority was  to strengthen the ties more effectively.
“It is in the national interest that the partnership between the EFCC and the NSCDC is strengthened. This is why I am here today, to formally introduce myself to you and seek your cooperation in enhancing the synergy between our agencies”, he stressed.
The NSDC Commandant, Mouhktar Lawal, who responded on behalf of the agency,  assured the EFCC of robust cordial relationship.
Lawal who stressed the need for the synergy, said no single agency could fight the menace alone, hence the need to come together for the sole purpose.
”We cannot do it alone, you cannot do it alone. There has to be synergy as we are all working towards a common purpose”, he added.
It will be recalled that the issue of illegal oil operations in the entire Niger Delta had been a top challenge in the nation’s struggle to develop the oil sector which is its major source of foreign exchange.