Oil Theft: You Must Appear Physically For Probe, Reps Tell NNPCL, NIMASA, Others

The House of Representatives  Ad-hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft has insisted that the heads of the Nigeria National Petroluem Ltd, (NNPCL); Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) and the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority, (NIWA) must appear physically for investigation.

The chairman, Hon. Alhassan Rumrum, gave this indication at the resumed hearing of the panel yesterday when heads of agencies invited were represented by directors.

The lawmakers had on Thursday given

NNPCL, NIMASA and other agencies as well as ministers a 24-hour ultimatum to appear before it and account for oil theft.

However, the agencies’ heads rather sent representatives and miffed by that action, the committee resolved that they appear unfailingly on Monday.

They are to come with a list of all other agencies working in all export terminal of all the country’s oil sector.

Chairman of the committee disclosed that most of the invited heads of agencies had written to the panel seeking permission to be represented by their subordinate staff as they were not disposed to appear in person and honour the invitation.