Oil Theft: Reps Seek Special Fund For NSCDC, Customs

The House of Representatives Special Committee on Oil Theft/Losses has called for a particular intervention fund to enable the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to perform optimally.

The committee‘s chairman, Hon. Alhasan Ado Doguwa, said this on Tuesday during a special session/hearing on the Use of Special Intervention Funds to Combat crude oil theft in the country.

Doguwa expressed displeasure over the lack of support for the NSCDC in carrying out its constitutional mandate.

He said the NSCDC protected Nigeria‘s critical assets and infrastructures.

The chairman promised to ensure that the NSCDC is fully involved in the war against oil theft and losses in Nigeria.

He called on the security agencies present during the meeting to speak up and share their challenges so that the Committee could make informed decisions to help the country.

„We commend the Federal Government‘s efforts in the protection of the oil and gas pipelines, flow stations, export terminals among others and the procurement, deployment of technologies to stem the monumental theft and losses of the nation‘s hydrocarbon resources,“ he said.

The Commandant General of NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, said the Corps‘ core mandate is to protect critical national assets and infrastructure across the Country.

Represented by his deputy, Philip Ayuba, the Commandant General also said the corps has been unable to fully access the special intervention fund from any agencies to carry out its mandates.

He complained that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had not allowed them to operate effectively and deliver on their mandates.

The Commandant General alleged that the corps had been sidelined from contributing to fulfil their core mandate in the country and expressed displeasure over NNPCL‘s attitude toward their personnel across the country.

He said the NNPCL, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation have refused to incorporate them in the special intervention fund in the country.