By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
The Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources , Timiprye Sylva has been advised to checkmate oil theft on high Sea as has been alleged by stàkeholders in the industry.
The Acting President of Riverine Peace Initiative in Niger Delta, Comrade Toluwa Mulade gave the admonishion while responding to Chief of Naval Staff interview on Channel’s television.
He said the only possible way to check mate such theft going on in high Sea is not just engaging Naval Staff alone but also to include some credible persons living within such communities.
According to comrade Toluwa Mulade , the allegations that vessels are loaded without necessary documentation from NNPC, until they are caught by Navy staff on the high sea before NNPC would forward documents to Navy should not not be treated with a light glove.
He said is a serious issue that need urgent attention or else , oil vessels will just be missing into individual bank accounts.
In a similar development, a retired Police Officer, who is also the CSO to Riverine Peace Initiative in Niger Delta, CSP Ebikebina Orubiri condemned calls from Northern groups demanding the removal of already approved pipeline surveillance protection contract from Chief Government Ekpemupolo Tompolo.
According to him, the call is unnecessary as the federal government made the right decision of awarding the contract to a strong voice in Niger Delta.
He however called on Chief Tompolo to engage stàkeholders, peace organizations from Urobo, Akwa, Ibom, Calabar, Itshekiri, and not just militants, as such would produce the necessary result required.
He further advised Chief Tompolo to ensure he carry all like-minded stàkeholders along to achieve fruitful results.