The Zonal Operations Controller of the Department of Petroleum Resources, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Mr. Bassey Nkanga has described the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as a critical stakeholder in the petroleum industry.
He gave the commendation on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 in Port Harcourt while receiving the Port Harcourt’s Zonal Head of the EFCC, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, who paid him a Courtesy Visit.
According to him, the EFCC’s works and functions in Nigeria have marked it out as a formidable agency and forming a synergy with it, in the pursuit of its mandate, was a worthy engagement.
“You are one of our critical stakeholders and we know the functions of your Commission. We know the major problems facing Nigeria. Working together with you will be forming a synergy, making our contributions towards fighting the vices confronting us as a nation”, he said.
Nkanga explained the roles his Department has been playing to support the works of the EFCC. Such roles include laboratory analysis of petroleum products suspected to be products of illegal oil bunkering, giving evidences in court to strengthen the prosecution of cases of oil theft and offering professional assistance that may be needed in tackling oil- related cases.”
Our laboratory is undergoing upgrade and new facilities are being installed. The quality of our laboratory tests, material and human capacities are being enchanced to serve the larger public better”, he stressed.
In his response, Bawa appreciated the entire work force of the Department of Petroleum Resources in the Port Harcourt’s Zone and urged the Department to be ready to work better with the EFCC.
He specifically called for a quicker response to requests for sample analysis of petroleum products sent to its laboratory. He also called for enhanced collaboration with the EFCC in tackling cases peculiar to the oil and gas industry.
“We are always happy working with agencies within and outside the country. I’m happy you said that you knew our functions. The peculiarity of the Port Harcourt’s Zone is in respect of the oil and gas- related issues. We will need your cooperation more in this regard”, he said.
Issues discussed at the meeting revolved around enhancing the quality of sample and laboratory tests, quicker feedback on sample tests, giving court evidences on results of tests carried on products and resolution of issues emanating from laboratory analysis of products.
