It is alleged that the Federal Government knows cabals involved in stealing crude oil in the Niger Delta region.
National Chairman, Host Communities of Nigeria Producing oil Gas, HOSCON, Dr. Mike Enuh, who made allegation during the inauguration of HOSCON National Youths Wing in Abuja, alleged that officials of Nigerian Navy and other security agencies protecting oil installations across the country were aware of the illicit transactions, saying that vessels used for oil theft and bunkering in the region were not invisible.
Enuh argued that there was nowhere naval personnel monitoring oil situation will not detect when empty vessels will sail into in the country and the same vessels would sail out filled with the oil products without the knowledge of the Federal Government.
He lamented that the issue of oil theft and bunkering is business for cabals and cartel, hence the difficulties in curtailing the menace.
The retired military officer reassured Nigerians that the ends have come for the oil thieves and their collaborators with the recent engagement of the youths of the oil producing communities in pipeline surveillance and security service.
According to him, the engagement of our youths in the surveillance and security services, the issues of the pipeline vandalism and oil theft will be resolved because “We know the cabals that steal the crude oil from our land”, adding the youths will fully involve to now checkmate them.
Dr. Enuh also appealed to the International Oil Companies operating in the Niger Delta region to urgently heed to the presidential directive on relocation headquarters to their areas of operations.
‘’Both the youths, men and women in the Niger Delta region have resolved to put in place every necessary arrangements, including security to make the region conducive in preparatory for the relocation,’’ he added.
On the 13 per cent derivation, Dr. Enuh faulted the practice in which the funds are released to the state governments in the region, saying, the Federal Government should take urgent step to stop paying the 13% to the governments of oil producing states.
He said the Federal Government should henceforth, direct the payment to HOSTCOM as spelt out in Section 162, sub-section 2 of the Nigerian Constitution as amended in 1999, contending that, “There is no place in the Nigerian law stating direct payment of the 13% from the oil and gas derivation to any state government and described it as unfair and gross misplacement of priority.
In his address, the President of HOSCON National Youth Wing, Comrade Success Samuel, pledged unalloyed support of the group for President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.
Samuel noted “Permit me at this juncture to state unequivocally that we are millions percent in support of Mr. President’s leadership of the nation, his efforts to rid the nation of the deep eaten virus of corruption that has bedeviled our commonwealth.
“We are also resolute in our solidarity for President Buhari on a ‘United Nigeria nation’ where equity and justice prevails. We are Nigerians, we are proud to be a one indivisible nation; we shall continue to be and work with him as no other nation on the surface of the earth is as blessed as that of Federal Republic of Nigeria,’’ he stated.
