The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has urged for more stringent punishment for oil thieves to stem the tide of economic sabotage plaguing Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Speaking during a visit by the Senate Committee on Incessant Crude Oil Theft, led by Chairman Senator Ned Nwoko, Ibas emphasized the pressing need for punitive measures that effectively deter oil theft. The meeting was held at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.
“Your presence here is both significant and timely. Crude oil theft strikes at the heart of Nigeria’s economic survival, undermining President Bola Tinubu’s reforms to boost oil production and fund national infrastructure,” Ibas stated.
He lauded the committee’s investigative efforts across oil-producing states and terminals, expressing optimism that its findings would aid in fortifying Nigeria’s economic base.
Ibas noted that Rivers State has made considerable progress in curbing pipeline vandalism through improved intelligence sharing and collaboration among security agencies. He also mentioned strategic community engagement and partnerships with traditional rulers as part of the state’s approach.
Furthermore, Ibas disclosed plans to deploy digital surveillance systems and integrate them with Port Harcourt’s Safe-City security architecture to enhance monitoring of oil infrastructure.
“As a major oil-producing state, we are committed to eliminating threats to production. Our goal is a secure, tech-driven monitoring framework to safeguard assets and boost output,” he said.
Calling for a national crackdown, Ibas advocated for the strict prosecution of offenders, installation of tamper-proof metering systems, and urgent repair of faulty meters, which he said account for 40% of oil losses. He also pushed for increased funding for the Nigerian Navy and maritime agencies, and expanded surveillance into both backwaters and international waters—where large-scale theft often occurs.
In his remarks, Senator Ned Nwoko reiterated the committee’s commitment to identifying and dismantling both onshore and offshore oil theft networks.
“We need Rivers State’s support to end this menace. Big-time thieves operate in international waters, and we must collaborate to secure Nigeria’s resources,” Nwoko stated.
The committee, established three months ago, is expected to submit actionable recommendations to the National Assembly aimed at reforming and safeguarding Nigeria’s oil sector.
What you should know
Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas is the Administrator of Rivers State and former Chief of Naval Staff.
Known for his military expertise, he brings a security-focused approach to governance, particularly in addressing oil theft—a major challenge for one of Nigeria’s top oil-producing states.
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