The Chairman, House of Representatives Special Committee on Oil Theft/Losses, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa has said that the parliament will champion legislation to enhance the involvement of private security firms in protecting the country’s oil and gas facilities.
The lawmaker disclosed this on Friday when he led the chairmen of other oil and gas-related committees on an on-the-spot assessment of vessels arrested by a private security outfit, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited working in partnership with security agencies in Delta State for alleged crude oil theft.
The committees on the visit included Environment, Host Communities, Niger Delta, Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Petroleum Resources (Midstream), Gas Resources and Petroleum Resources (Training Fund).
The Kano-born lawmaker commended the security outfit for its services to the nation, adding that the nation has within the past few weeks witnessed an increase in oil production.
Ado-Doguwa said, “We will also see to the possibility of creating a legal framework where private institutions like Tantita would be allowed not only on the shallow waters but even to go and operate in the high seas, the deep waters to see how they can protect our assets, to see how they can fight seriously against oil theft and this kind of vandalisation that has continued to affect adversely the development of our economy.
The lawmaker further expressed concern over the high spate of crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, saying, “I want to tell you that we are all out to see increased production of our oil and gas industry in the country. One of the major challenges we are facing is about increased production. In the recent stakeholder meeting we had with the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the issue was about increased production.
On his part, the Chairman, Committee on Oil Theft, Fred Agbedi, also expressed the commitment of the House to address issues relating to crude oil theft in the country.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream), Odianosen Okojie, said the various relevant committees would work together to deal with the menace and shore up the country’s revenue to ensure the development of critical infrastructure.
The Chairman, House Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Eugene Agu, expressed optimism over the increased production of oil.
The Executive Director, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Waridi Eniusoh, also urged the government to strengthen collaboration with private security firms to protect oil facilities.
