By Mercy Aikoye
The House of Representatives Special Committee on Oil Theft/Losses has vowed to recommend special intervention funds for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to enhance their performance.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Alhasan Ado Doguwa, made this promise during a special session on the utilization of special intervention funds to combat crude oil theft across the country.
Doguwa expressed disappointment over the lack of support for the NSCDC to carry out its constitutional mandate, emphasizing the agency’s crucial role in protecting the country’s critical assets and infrastructure.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, represented by Deputy Commandant General Philip Ayuba, lamented that the corps had not accessed special intervention funds from any agency, hindering their ability to fully carry out their mandates. He also accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) of sidelining them and preventing them from operating effectively.
Similarly, the Comptroller of the NCS, represented by Assistant Comptroller Custom Oloyede Adekunle, complained about the lack of assistance from any establishment to carry out their assignment.
The Committee Chairman promised to ensure that the NSCDC is fully involved in the war against oil theft and losses in Nigeria and called on security agencies to share their challenges to inform the Committee’s decisions.
Doguwa commended the Federal Government’s efforts to protect oil and gas pipelines, flow stations, and export terminals, but emphasized the need for more support for the NSCDC and NCS to combat oil theft effectively.
