Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, representing Delta South in the National Assembly, along with the Nigerian Senate Joint Committee on Crude Oil Theft, paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, in the State Government House, Asaba, to discuss strategies for combating oil theft in the region.
The Senate Joint Committee on Oil Theft, chaired by Senator Ifeanyi Uba CON, includes senate committees on petroleum resources (Upstream and Downstream), Gas, host communities, and Niger Delta, with Senator Thomas as a member.
During the meeting on Monday, April 22, 2024, Senator Uba emphasized the need for collaboration between the state and federal governments to address the root causes of oil theft and protect the region’s natural resources for the benefit of host communities and the nation as a whole.
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Senator Uba stated, “I highlighted the importance of collaboration between the federal and state governments in tackling the issue of crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region. I also emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to address the root causes of the problem and ensure that the resources of the region are protected for the benefit of the host communities and all Nigerians.”
In response, Governor Oborevwori appreciated the Senate Joint Committee on Oil Theft and pledged the state’s ongoing collaboration with the federal government to combat the menace. He also outlined initiatives his administration has implemented, including the launch of ‘Operation Delta Sanity’, aimed at ending crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, and other forms of insecurity in Nigeria’s maritime environment.
The Senate Joint Committee on Oil Theft is hopeful that the visit will foster future collaboration between the federal and state governments in addressing the challenges of crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
