The acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu has called for more concerted efforts aimed at combating the menace of illegal oil bunkering and oil theft in the South- South.
Magu spoke through the Port Harcourt’s Zonal Head of the Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa on Wednesday, March 20th, 2019 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State while paying the Commander, Nigeria Navy Ship Pathfinder (NNS Pathfinder), Commodore S.J. Bura a Courtesy Visit.
According to Magu, the South – South remained the cash cow of Nigeria and tackling oil theft was not only a matter of law enforcement but a patriotic duty.
“70 to 80 percent of our national revenue comes from the oil sector. It is important that the menace of crude oil theft and illegal dealing in petroleum products is tackled frontally. We need more of your cooperation to achieve this”, he said.
Bura, who was represented by the Executive Officer, NNS Pathfinder, Captain S.S. Garba, appreciated Bawa’s visit and emphasized the need for greeter and stronger synergy with the EFCC.
He stressed that the NAVY was always ready to offer its best services in the interest of the nation.
“We are stakeholders. Nigeria belongs to all of us and as a Service, we have zero tolerance for illegality, We don’t compromise.
I’m personally allergic to indiscipline and so, you can be sure that we will always do what we should do to tackle oil theft”, he said.
Salient issues discussed in the course of the visit include timely hand- over of arrested vessels, speedy prosecution of oil theft cases and technical issues on vessel handling to protect exhibits for prosecution.