The Senate has received an interim report from the Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the persistent and criminal activities of crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, said the findings are extensive, and after a thorough review, the committee has made key recommendations.
He stated that the Federal Government should direct the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to strictly enforce internationally acceptable crude oil measurement standards at all production sites and export terminals.
The Government should restore back the Weights and Measures Department of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment to the upstream sector and empower it to acquire and use state of the art measuring equipment at all production sites and export terminals.
He said this will promote and strengthen accurate measurement, transparency and accountability in the Oil and Gas Industry.
The Federal Government should deploy adequate modern technology, equipment and logistics to security agencies to enable them function effectively.
This may include the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) such as quad copters for surveillance and integrity pipeline monitoring system to detect thefts and leaks.
He also said the Federal Government should setup a special court to promptly prosecute crude oil thieves and their collaborators.
Cov/ Bashir M
