Former foreign affairs minister, Prof Bola Akinyemi, has called on the federal government to institute a judicial enquiry into the massive oil theft in Nigeria.
Making the call under the auspices of a group, The Academy of International Affairs, which he leads as the President, Prof Bolaji said in that the exercise will identify the real culprits, especially top level government officials, said to be sponsoring the evil racket.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, said the unwholesome trend which has gone on for too long and unending Turn Around maintenance of refineries need to end to rekindle Nigeria’s enviable position in the world oil market and provide substantial revenues for the country.
“Enough is enough of oil thefts in any form or shape. We have been following events trending in the media on the horrible oil thefts which have impoverished our dear country over the years.
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“The issues have been mind-boggling and the academy finds it very difficult to keep mute over issues that adversely affect, not only the country’s domestic affairs but gravely deprive it from earning much needed export revenues and contributing its quota to international supply of petroleum resources,” the former minister said
The group wondered how this menace has thrived despite the presence of highly rated, state armed security agencies like the army, the navy, the civil defence operatives, the police etc.
“Is it not a big shame that a private company, Tanita Security Services Limited, owned by Mr. Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, had to be employed where Nigerian security failed, and the former militant and his company has discovered hidden, illegal export pipelines utilized by oil thieves,” the group queried
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He said the 4km pipelines discovered by Tompolo and other pipelines around the oil-producing areas in the Delta region and the creeks could not have been constructed and installed by the natives without being found out by the Nigerian security.
He noted that with the current high price of crude oil in the world market, it is a great opportunity for Nigeria to meet its OPEC quota and earn good money to balance its budgets, put an end to deficit financing, foreign debt, and improve the country’s economy so that it will no longer be called the poverty capital of the world, Prof Akinyemi said
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