By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, rtd, has called for harsher punishment for oil thieves, in an effort to curb the persistent economic sabotage crippling Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Ibas also emphasised the need for a digitization of pipeline surveillance enhanced security measures through adequate funding of the Nigerian Navy and maritime agencies to tackle the menace.
The Sole Administrator made the call while hosting the Senate Committee on Incessant Crude Oil Theft, led by its Chairman, Senator Ned Nwoko, who paid him a visit at the Government House in Port Harcourt last weekend.
Ibas stressed that weak punishment for offenders emboldens criminality, depriving the nation of critical revenue needed for development, and described the Senate committee visit as timely.
“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,” he stated.
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He commended the Committee’s mandate to investigate oil theft across producing states and terminals, expressing confidence that their recommendations would strengthen Nigeria’s economic base.
Ibas highlighted Rivers State’s progress in reducing pipeline vandalism which he said included, improved intelligence gathering and inter-agency coordination, structured engagements with traditional rulers and community stakeholders and the deployment of digital surveillance systems over oil installations.
He stated: “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.”
Ibas reiterated Rivers State’s readiness to partner with federal stakeholders to protect national assets and restore Nigeria’s oil revenue potential.
In his response, the Committee Chairman, Senator Ned Nwoko affirmed the Committee’s resolve to identify and dismantle oil thieves networks, both onshore and offshore.
“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,” he stated.
A press statement by the Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Sole Administrator, Hector Igbikiowubo, indicated that the Committee, inaugurated three months ago, is expected submit actionable solutions to the National Assembly to sanitize the oil sector.
