Illegal Oil Bunkering: Uduaghan Indicts Oil Companies , International Community

Isaac Shobayo, Jos - 07.11.2009

Piqued by the rampant cases of illegal oil bunkering in the Niger-Delta region, the governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has declared that the illegal activities threatening the economy was being perpetrated by the oil companies around with connivance of the international community.

The Delta State governor stated this shortly after delivering a lecture entitled: Micro-Credit Programme as a Tool for Wealth/ Youth Empowerment Creation and Good Governance,” delivered at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Study (NIPSS) Kuru, Plateau State.

Dr. Uduaghan, who stated that illegal oil bunkering was in stages, pointed out that the oil companies were behind the large-scale bunkering in the area because of the technologies involved to scoop oil illegally.

He added that those who knew nothing about the method of doing it could not dabble into it in a large scale. He explained further that the illegal business was thriving simply because there were people outside the country who were ready buyers.

“Illegal bunkering is in stages, I want to say that those behind the illegal act in a large scale are those who know the technology involved, especially those who have worked in oil companies. And it is thriving because there are markets for it outside the country,” he stated.

He also said that “the solution to it lies with the international community, who often purchase the oil, adding that if there is no buyer, there would be no seller.”

On post-amnesty, Governor Uduaghan commended President Umaru Yar’Adua for his efforts so far, adding that all the major actors in the Niger-Delta crisis were helping to sustain the peace in the region.

The governor stated that the major challenges facing the government in the region presently was the management of post- amnesty period, saying there was the need to manage its effects to restore normalcy to the Nigeria’s economy affected by the crisis.

According to him, to sustain the peace presently being enjoyed in Delta State, the governor pointed out that his government had put some measures in place to engage the youth in productive ventures, adding that all the places affected during the crisis were presently being rehabilitated and put in shape.

On the coming elections, he declared that what would make people vote for any political party would be the achievements of those presently in government, saying anybody who had nothing to showcase should not expect votes from the people.

“The only way parties in government can sustain themselves in power and win the coming elections is to perform because the people are watching and know what they want from them,” he said.

He implored Nigeria to take a leaf from Ghana which recently had successful transition, adding that the way election was conducted in that country should be a lesson to all in Nigeria.