Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Friday, described those behind oil theft in the Niger Delta as “big players” who live outside the region.
The former Bayelsa State Governor disclosed this during his visit to the Gbaramatu Kingdom, Oboro-Gbaraun II, Aketepe, Agadagbam in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
Dickson said that although many people believe that Ijaw youths are behind the oil theft, they cannot carry out the act.
He said: “The big players behind crude oil theft are not from this region but are based in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the world.
“We do not have the means and capacity to engage in high-level operations that result in the loss of Nigerian crude oil production every day from our site.
“Those who can compromise and infiltrate the national security system and infiltrate the national petroleum system; those who can charter tankers and shuttle boats, they are not Ijaw.
“We can’t do that! We don’t even have the experience to be involved in such operations.”
However, he urged Nigeria to step up its role on the international stage by pushing for the recovery of its stolen crude oil.
“Those who declare every day what is produced; those who refuse to properly monitor and record what was produced for more than 50 or 60 years are to blame.
“They are not Ijaw youths – harmless people, without capacity and technical knowledge,” the former governor added.
The post Former Governor Dickson says ‘big players’ in Lagos, Abuja are behind oil theft in Niger Delta appeared first on Latest Nigerian News | Top News from Ripples Nigeria.
