Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in collaboration with Transparency International (TI) convened a one day validation meeting and media report on military involvement in oil theft in the Niger Delta
The event which was held Today, June 13, 2019 in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Nigeria had in attendance Civil Society Organizations, community leaders ,representatives of National Orientation Agency(NOA),Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC),Independent Corrupt Practices Commission(ICPC) among others
Speaking to Journalists at the sideline of the event, Salnudeen Hashim, Programme Manager of CISLAC said “for over a year ,We have been carefully looking through the situation that have become of great concern ,that is how it bothers on Military involvement in criminality in Niger Delta, then We had to narrow it down to issues that bothers on oil theft as some of the revelation have been of serious concern”
The Programme Manager of CISLAC explained that it is clear that there seem to be level of facilitation in provision of security cover to those who are involved in the criminal acts in the region. He revealed that data gathered from primary sources confirmed there seems to be some level of facilitation of security institutions particularly the Military in all of these conversations.
He revealed that the challenge bothered around how the situation has created economic sabotage, dented the integrity of the armed forces and how it has created distrust between community institutions and the Military.
According to Salnudeen Hashim, the fundamental issue is that there seem to be level of organized criminality among security institutions in the region that is why CISLAC in collaboration with TI have brought it to public space, in order to allow citizens to engage it constructively.
He stated that the recent revelation by the Rivers state Governor accusing the GOC 6 Division of Nigeria Army of involving in Illegal oil bunkering also in a way provided some level of intelligence to show that there seem to be an issue everybody need to be concerned about.
He said “what we are doing is to sustain the momentum and not to allow the narrative to be swept under the carpet and that is why we have gathered here today”.
Chief Jackrich Igbaniama in his speech said “the Government should take adequate care of security agencies in terms of welfare package so that they will abstain from illegal oil bunkering”.
Dr Chinemerem Abori Nwankwo in her own contribution described the issue of oil theft in the country as foundational issue. She stated that for issue of oil theft to be addressed, the country need to address it from the foundation.
In his own remark, Livinus Idor the representative of commissioner of ICPC incharge of Bayelsa and Rivers state, revealed that illegal oil bunkering is a serious economy sabotage which can be curtailed if the proper thing is done.
In his own speech, Okpara Chinwe the representative of state director of NOA, stated that for oil theft to be reduced to the bearest minimum, there is a need to strengthen cooperation between the Military and the citizens in the Niger Delta region. He added that the Military must be transparent in their operations.
His Royal Majesty,Eze Leslie Eke,Eze Oha evo 111 of Evo Kingdom in his speech suggested that for illegal oil bunkering to stop, the Government should publish names of security personnel alleged to have participated in the crime and also make public oil revenues .
Earlier some participants from oil bearing community narrated their eyewitness report on the alleged involvement of military in illegal oil bunkering in their various communities
In his closing remarks, Georgewill Enefaa, Chairman of Rivers Civil Society Organizations suggested that the campaign for naming and shaming military officers involved in illegal oil bunkering should be heightened. He also emphasized the need for creation of dedicated online platform through which people can report illegal oil bunkering in their domain
Highlight of the event was the launching of the media report on military involvement in oil theft in the Niger Delta
Our correspondent reports that the 8 page media report which was based on intensive research looked at losses of oil revenue in terms of millions of barrels and dollars per day
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