The sub-committee of the National Economic Council on the fight against crude oil theft in Nigeria has expressed satisfaction with the level of success recorded so far and is thus optimistic about presenting an interim report soon.
The Chairman of the committee, Hope Uzodinma, and Governor of Imo State, stated this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of their meeting, which lasted more than six hours in Abuja.
Uzodinma explained that the committee’s main responsibility was to block leakages in the oil and gas sector, saying so far the efforts are encouraging.
He said the committee had been collecting data from the critical stakeholders and analyzing it to boost the oil and Gas sector so that the Government income earnings will be doubled.
“We have done a lot, We have interfaced with critical stakeholders in the industry.”
According to him, this efforts will make the sector more functional in terms of revenue generation for the Government and in turn boost the economic stability of the Nation.
Hope Uzodinma assured that at the next National Economic Council meeting, the committee should be able to provide an interim report of its assignment. If the recommendations are approved, it will continue with more activities that encourage the government to implement them successfully.
” So far, what we have seen is very encouraging and we are almost certain that at the end of the assignment, crude oil theft will become a thing of the past and there will be more discipline in the industry and operators in the industry will also play according to the rules.“
He added that the committee also discussed on the way to optimise Gas production for more revenue, saying they are trying to improve on the level of sincerity, honesty in the industry.
Hope Uzodinma further said this would encourage stakeholders to play by the rules and have the country’s interest at heart, allowing for a win-win situation where the oil companies that are producing would make a profit, and Nigeria, which is also their partner, would also make a profit.
” The renewed hope agenda of president Bola Tinubu is working and it is going to bring hope to Nigeria at the end of the day.”
Among the digniteries who attended the meeting include ministers of budget and National planning, Finance, Central Bank Governor, minister of trade and investment and Minister of State for petreleum,
Other members are the governors of Cross River state and Deputy Governors of Akwa Ibon and Bayelsa States respectively as well as chief of Naval staff vice admirral Emanual Ogalla.
Cov/ Bashir M
