The Senate has reiterated the National Assembly’s commitment to tackling crude oil theft by ensuring stiffer penalties for perpetrators.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio made this known while declaring open a two-day public hearing on the persistent and nefarious acts of crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
The Senate President represented by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, said the 10th National Assembly would not stand by while the country’s economy bleeds, assuring that the it is prepared to strengthen laws, enhance oversight, and ensure that agencies responsible for protecting our oil assets are held accountable.
Godswill Akpabio confirmed that the National Assembly would specifically consider stiffer penalties for oil theft, including terrorism charges for major offenders. He also emphasized the need for mandatory digital metering and real-time monitoring of all oil production and exports.
He stressed the importance of ensuring greater transparency in crude oil lifting and revenue reporting, as well as enhanced collaboration between the military, police, NSCDC, EFCC, and international partners to track and intercept stolen crude.
He said the fight against crude oil theft cannot be left to government alone as such oil companies must invest in modern surveillance technology and secure pipelines.
According to him, host communities must see themselves as first-line defenders of these assets, not victims or accomplices.
He said security agencies must demonstrate zero tolerance for complicity.
Godwin explained that the fight against crude oil theft cannot be left to the government alone. Therefore, oil companies must invest in modern surveillance technology and secure their pipelines.
However, the Senate President charged stakeholders to engage with the utmost seriousness with the recommendations from this session must lead to actionable, measurable, and time-bound solutions, adding that Nigeria’s survival depends on it.
He added, “To the criminals stealing our crude oil—your time is up. To the agencies tasked with protecting our resources—the nation is watching. And to this Ad-hoc Committee, the Senate expects nothing less than a robust, no-holds-barred report that will guide decisive legislative and executive actions. It is time to take back what belongs to Nigeria.”
He also commended the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Incessant Crude Oil Theft, chaired by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko (Delta North), for convening the public hearing.
Akpabio believes that Nigeria’s oil and gas sector remains the lifeblood of the Nation’s economy, accounting for over 80% of government revenue and 90% of foreign exchange earnings. Yet, for decades, we have watched in dismay as criminal syndicates—both foreign and domestic—continue to siphon our crude oil with brazen impunity.
Cov / Bashir M
