Seriake Dickson, a senator representing Bayelsa West District, has claimed that those behind the rampant oil theft in the Niger Delta are influential individuals residing outside the region.
During a visit to Oporoza, the headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State, Dickson addressed the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Oboro-Gbaraun II, stating that the perpetrators of oil theft are not the Ijaw youths often blamed for the crime.
“The big players behind crude oil theft are not from the region but are based in Lagos, Abuja, and other parts of the world,” he asserted.
Dickson emphasized that Ijaw youths lack the capacity and technical expertise to operate the complex pipeline systems involved in oil theft. He explained that the Ijaw people live in the creeks and depend on the waterways and farmlands for their livelihood, while the actual thieves are responsible for polluting the land with their illegal activities.
“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 the national petroleum sector are not from our region,” Dickson said.
The senator, who is also a former governor of Bayelsa State, highlighted that such sophisticated operations require significant resources, coordination, funding, and international networking.
He called on Nigeria to improve its international efforts to track and designate stolen crude oil. “Those who, on a daily basis, under-declare what is produced and have refused to properly monitor and record production for over 50 or 60 years should take the blame. It is not the Ijaw youth – harmless people without the capacity and technical know-how,” he added.
Dickson also praised the traditional ruler for maintaining peace in his kingdom and the broader Niger Delta region.
Additionally, Dickson visited Dr. Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, the founder of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL). He commended Tompolo for his efforts in boosting the nation’s oil revenue and regenerating the region’s ecosystem through his private security outfit.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
