Seriake Dickson: Oli theft masterminds from Lagos, Abuja — NOT Niger Delta

Seriake Dickson, chairman of the senate committee on ecology and climate change, says the masterminds of oil theft in the Niger Delta reside outside the region.

In a report by NAN on Friday, Dickson said the “big players” are based in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the world.

The senator spoke during a visit to the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, at Oporoza, Warri, Delta state.

“Those big players behind the crude oil theft are not from the region but are based in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the world,” he said.

“We have no means and no capacity to engage in the high-level operations that result in the daily loss of Nigerian crude oil produced from our place.

“Those who have the capacity to compromise and infiltrate the national security system and infiltrate the national petroleum system; those who have the capacity to hire the tankers and shuttle vessels, they are not Ijaws.

“We do not have the capacity to do that! We do not even have the experience to be involved in that kind of operation.”

Dickson said such high-level operations needed a lot of resources, coordination, funding and international networking.

He urged Nigeria to step up her game in the international arena by pushing for the designation of the country’s stolen crude oil.

“Those who, on a daily basis, underdeclare what is produced; those who have refused to properly monitor and record what is produced for over 50 or 60 years should take the blame,” Dickson said.

“It is not the Ijaw youth – harmless people without the capacity and without the technical know-how.”

Dickson also commended the traditional ruler for ensuring peace in his kingdom and the entire Niger Delta.