Human Rights Writers Affiliation of Nigeria (HURIWA) has extolled the intensified efforts of the Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Firm Restricted (NNPCL) underneath the management of Mele Kyari, Group Chief Govt Officer, in tackling crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, significantly within the Niger Delta.
HURIWA careworn that the collaboration between the NNPCL, navy, and police demonstrates a powerful dedication to safeguarding Nigeria’s oil infrastructure, a crucial asset to the nation’s financial system.
Addressing a press convention in Abuja on Thursday, HURIWA’s Nationwide Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, expressed solidarity with the NNPCL and the Nigerian navy of their ongoing marketing campaign in opposition to crude oil theft, which has severely impacted the nation’s oil trade for many years.
The group counseled the coordinated method of the NNPCL and safety businesses, stressing that such collaboration is important in curbing the widespread theft of Nigeria’s crude oil.
Onwubiko applauded the NNPCL’s determination to companion with numerous safety businesses, together with the Nigerian Military, Navy, Police, and Division of State Providers (DSS), in focusing on and dismantling high-profile oil theft syndicates. These legal networks, the group famous, have lengthy diverted Nigeria’s invaluable pure assets, affecting the nation’s financial stability.
He stated: “The management of Mele Kyari on the NNPCL has resulted in renewed efforts to fight oil theft, prioritising the safety of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon assets. Kyari has acknowledged the crucial position of safety personnel in defending important oil infrastructure. We urged sustained cooperation between the NNPCL and the navy to guard the nation’s oil property.”
Onwubiko additional stated that crude oil theft straight undermines Nigeria’s financial stability and known as on Nigerians, significantly civil society organisations, to assist the combat in opposition to oil thieves.
The affiliation additionally known as for the prosecution of arrested suspects, insisting that they be handled as financial saboteurs and given stiff sentences to discourage additional legal exercise.
It counseled the Nigerian navy underneath the management of Chief of Defence Employees Normal Christopher Musa for its dedication to deploying each land and maritime forces to safe oil-producing areas within the Niger Delta.
In line with HURIWA, this multi-faceted method, in collaboration with the NNPCL, has yielded vital outcomes. Latest operations have uncovered quite a few unlawful crude oil connections, destroyed unlawful refineries, and resulted within the arrest of suspects concerned in oil theft.
Citing NNPCL stories, HURIWA famous that inside one week, 33 unlawful crude oil connections had been found in numerous components of the Niger Delta, whereas 72 unlawful refineries had been destroyed, and 42 suspects had been arrested. These efforts are a part of a broader technique to revive Nigeria’s crude oil manufacturing to optimum ranges and improve the nation’s financial prospects.
The group expressed optimism that if the present momentum is maintained, Nigeria will witness a big discount in crude oil theft, alongside a rise in oil manufacturing.
The affiliation additionally stated that the combat in opposition to crude oil theft is a nationwide activity that requires the constant assist of all Nigerians. It due to this fact urged civil rights advocacy organisations to again the NNPCL and the Nigerian navy, highlighting the significance of civil society in making certain transparency and accountability within the anti-oil theft marketing campaign.
HURIWA additionally reiterated its personal dedication to supporting the continued efforts and known as on different organisations to lend their voices to this crucial trigger.
“The theft of crude oil isn’t just against the law in opposition to the Nigerian authorities however in opposition to each Nigerian. These criminals are stealing the wealth of the nation, undermining the financial system, and threatening the livelihoods of tens of millions of residents. We should unite on this combat,” it added.
HURIWA additionally urged swift judicial motion in opposition to these apprehended for oil theft, describing them as financial saboteurs whose actions have had damaging results on Nigeria’s financial system and worldwide standing. The affiliation known as for extreme penalties for convicted oil thieves, together with lengthy jail sentences and substantial fines, to ship a powerful message that the judiciary helps the federal government’s anti-theft measures.
It warned that leniency in the direction of these criminals would embolden others to proceed their illicit actions, perpetuating financial sabotage. HURIWA known as on the federal authorities to introduce stricter legal guidelines prescribing harder penalties for people and organisations concerned in crude oil theft and vandalism of crucial infrastructure.
