In a bid to address the persistent challenges of crude oil theft and security concerns around the nation’s oil and gas facilities, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Special Committee on Oil Theft/Losses, Hon Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, has announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at bolstering the involvement of private security outfits.
The announcement was made during an on-the-spot assessment conducted by Ado-Doguwa and other chairpersons of oil and gas-related committees. The delegation inspected vessels apprehended by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, a private security outfit collaborating with security agencies in Delta State. The vessels were seized for alleged crude oil theft in Bayelsa State, resulting in the arrest of multiple suspects who were subsequently handed over to law enforcement.
The visiting committees included Environment, Host Communities, Niger Delta, Petroleum Resource (Upstream), Petroleum Resources (Midstream), Gas Resources, and Petroleum Resources (Training Fund).
Commending the efforts of security agencies, Ado-Doguwa expressed apprehension about the escalating incidents of crude oil theft and crises in the region. Hon Fred Agbedi, Chairman of the Committee on Oil Theft, also affirmed the commitment of the House to address this pressing issue.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream), Hon. Prince Odianosen Henry Okojie, emphasized the need for coordinated action across relevant committees to tackle the menace effectively. Okojie, whose purview covers the processing, storing, transporting, and marketing of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, stressed the importance of curbing oil theft to boost the country’s revenue for developmental purposes.
Hon Eugene Okechikwu Dibia Agu, Chairman of the House Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, expressed optimism about the potential for increased oil production.
Waridi Eniusoh, the Executive Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, urged the government to strengthen collaboration with private security firms to safeguard oil facilities. As part of their visit, the delegation also met with Chief Government Ekpemupolo, the Chief Executive of Tantita, at the company’s office in Warri West Local Government Area, Delta State.
