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Senate Mandates Five Committees To Investigate Crude Oil Thefts In N’Delta
The Senate has mandated its Committees on Petroleum Resources, (Upstream, downstream,) Gas, Host communities and Niger Delta to conduct investigation on oil theft in the region.
It specifically mandated the committees to investigate the actions of security forces, militia groups, local populace,all company employees, and any individuals or entities suspected to be using sophisticated methods to pilfer from oil facilities within the country.
The resolution was sequel to adoption of a motion at plenary yesterday on “Urgent need to investigate incessant and nefarious acts of crude oil thefts in Niger- Delta region.
The motion was sponsored by Sen. Ned Nwoko (PDP- Delta) and Co sponsored by Sen. Ede Dafinone and Sen J.Thomas.
Nwoko in his lead debate said that Nigeria was largely dependent on crude oil for its economic growth and development.
He said the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that oil sector contributed 6.33 per cent of the nation’s GDP which translated to 45.6 billion dollars in 2022 .
Nwoko said the oil sector in Nigeria plays pivotal role in providing employment opportunities for millions of Nigerian citizens accounting for 70 per cent of its budget financing, while oil and gas made up of 90 per cent of export and 85 per cent of government revenue in the first quarter of 2022.
He said statistical data which has been reported over the years, indicated that pipeline vandalism, oil bunkering, has brought Nigeria Into serious socio-economic crisis.
The senator said current collaborative efforts involving joint task force of the military,with contributions of various security entities, state and local governments, and International Oil Companies (IOCs) in the Niger Delta region has yielded positive results.
He said the efforts has led to an increase in oil production, reaching 1.51 million barrels per day in first quarter 2023.
“ This figure marks an improvement from the 1.49 million barrels per day recorded in the same quarter of 2022 and is notably higher than the production volume of 1.34 million barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2022.”
Nwoke said inspite of efforts of military personnel and security agencies in combating oil theft in the Niger Delta region, he, however alleged of individuals within the institutions who engage in illicit activities.
“These individuals collaborate with unscrupulous figures within the oil industry to undermine the nation’s economy.
“Also observes that it has come to attention that oil theft in Nigeria thrives due to a troubling collaboration between security forces, militia groups, the local population, and certain employees within oll companies .
“These parties employ sophisticated methods to carry out theft from all facilities located within the country given Nigeria’s vast oil and gas reserves.”
He expressed concern of alleged accusations and counter-accusations of oil bunkering and various other crisis between the military and local militia groups.
“In 2022, it was reported that Nigeria suffered daily loss of approximately 437,000 barrels of crude oil, amounting to a value of 23 million dollars, due to criminal activities.
“ Moreover, between March 2023, Nigeria incurred a substantial loss of 65.7 million barrels of crude oil, valued at 83 dollars per barrel, translating to a staggering revenue loss of N2.3 trillion as a result of oil theft.”
He expressed worry that the activities of oil thieves and their collaborators has significantly hampered crude oil production posing a substantial threat to the nation’s economy.
Contributing, Sen. Mpigi Barinada(PDP- Rivers) called for proper check on issues of oil thefts in Niger Delta, adding that there was challenge of collaboration among security agencies.
Sen.Osita Izunaso (APC- Imo) said oil bunkering was a major economic sabotage for Nigeria , saying that it was a multifaceted issues.
He said the solution required sustainable measures and not on ad-hoc basis.
Sen.Buhari Abdulfatah called for a review of the laws to provide for punitive measures for would be offenders.
Sen.Adams Oshiomole (APC-Edo) urged the Senate to support President Tinubu in the fight against oil thieves,saying that it was time to stop oil thefts in Nigeria.
He said it was shameful that so much was been stolen from oil, and urged the senate to invite the service chiefs to interface with senate on what the security agencies were doing to stop oil thefts.
President of Senate, Godswill Akpiabio said he believes strongly that the Armed Forces were in better position to secure the country.
He thanked the sponsor of the motion, while urging the committee to do a holistic investigation in the interest of the nation.
Senate consequently urged the committee to present its report on the investigation in six weeks.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.