By Ebere Nwafor
In a significant development for Nigeria’s ongoing battle against crude oil theft, a civil society group, Organisations for Peoples Rights Protection has expressed strong support for the recent appointment of Senator Ned Nwoko as Chairman of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft.
This is coming after youths of Oil and Gas Host Communities of Nigeria (HOSTCON) lauded the appointment of Senator Ned Nwoko as Chairman of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft a week ago.
Comrade Emmanuel Fiawei Pathfinder, president of the HOSTCON youths, described Senator Nwoko’s appointment by the 10th Senate, as a critical development for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
He described the appointment as a significant opportunity to reshape the entire oil and gas value chain in the country.
In a statement, president of the Organization for People’s Rights Protection, Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala, and the Organization’s Publicity Secretary, Chief Mrs. Rosemary Ishioma Oshilim, the group underscored the urgency of addressing crude oil theft, which has severely impacted Nigeria’s economy and caused extensive environmental damage.
“Senator Nwoko’s appointment comes at a critical time when the nation is grappling with the devastating consequences of oil theft. This criminal activity not only depletes the country’s resources but also affects the livelihoods of many Nigerians,” the group said in the statement.
Kegbala lauded Nwoko’s distinguished record as a dedicated public servant and his longstanding commitment to resolving national issues.
“His vast experience and dedication to the welfare of the Nigerian people make him the ideal candidate to chair this committee.
“We believe that under his leadership, the committee will develop effective strategies to curb oil theft while promoting transparency and accountability in the oil sector,” the statement added.
Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala emphasized the importance of establishing strong frameworks that could prevent oil theft and ensure that Nigeria’s resources are managed for the benefit of all its citizens.
“We urge Senator Nwoko to work closely with all relevant stakeholders, including local communities, to devise sustainable solutions that address the root causes of crude oil theft,” Kagbala said.
As a prominent advocate for human rights and environmental protection in Nigeria, the group viewed Nwoko’s appointment as a positive step going forward.
The organization is optimistic that the committee will diligently work to restore integrity to Nigeria’s oil industry while safeguarding the environment for future generations.
As the nation closely watches developments, Senator Nwoko’s appointment as Chairman of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft is seen as a promising move in the fight against corruption and resource mismanagement in Nigeria.
