By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Special Committee on oil Theft/Losses has recommended a special intervention fund for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigeria Custom Service, (NCS), to enable them perform optimally.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. AlhassanAdoDoguwa, who was displeased over the lack of support for the NSCDC to carry out it constitutional mandate, stated this on Tuesday st a special hearing on the Utilization of Special Intervention Funds to Combat Crude Oil Theft across the country.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that the Special Committee on Oil Theft/Losses was inaugurated on 30th Oct 2023 by the Speaker Tajudden Abbas pursuant to section 62 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to Doguwa, the NSCDC has a crucial role of protecting the country’s critical assets and infrastructures across Nigeria.
He therefore vowed to ensure that the NSCDC is fully carried along in the war against Oil Theft and losses in Nigeria.
He also called on the security agencies present at the hearing to speak up and share their challenges inorder for the Committee to make informed decisions that will help the country.
“We commend the the Federal Government efforts in the protection of the oil and gas pipelines, flow stations, export terminals among others and the procurement, deployment of technologies in a bid to stem the monumental theft and losses of the nation’s hydrocarbon resources,” he said.
The Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,NSCDC who was represented by Deputy Commandant General, Philip Ayuba informed that the core mandate of the Corps is to protect critical national asset and infrastructure across the Country.
The Commandant General further said that the corps has not been able to access the special intervention fund from any agencies to fully carry out it mandates.
He lamented that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had not allowed them to operate effectively as well as deliver on their mandates.
He further alleged that the Corps has been sidelined from contributing to fulfill their core mandate in the country; even as he expressed displeasure over NNPCL attitude towards personnel across the country.
He said the NNPCL, the Central Bank of Nigeria and including the Office of the Accountant General of the federation have refused to incorporate them in the special intervention fund in the country.
The Comptroller Nigeria Custom Service, NCS, who was represented by the Assistant Comptroller Custom, Oloyede Adekunle, said they have not received assistance from any establishment to carry out their assignment.