The federal government has earmarked $1billion for the implementation of a comprehensive programme to check crude oil theft, including vandalism of oil and gas infrastructure and prosecution of crude oil thieves, President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday.
Jonathan said this at separate meetings with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr. Mark Rutte, and the Chief Executive Officer of Shell International, Mr. Ben van Beurden.
He said a technical committee had already been set up to look into all aspects of the implementation of the programme, including further action to enhance the security of pipelines and other oil industry infrastructure.
He said the committee would also look at aspect of resolving community-related issues, boost youth empowerment in oil-producing areas and enhance the commitment of oil companies to discharge their corporate social responsibilities.
According to him, the fresh onslaught against oil theft planned by his administration would require the maximum co-operation of the international community, especially countries like the Netherlands which are major stakeholders in the global oil industry.
He said: “Oil theft is an aspect of global terrorism, which has become a big industry on its own. It has become a major threat to the Nigerian economy and we need to work with all stakeholders to curb it. The thieves must be traced, apprehended and prosecuted.”
In his remarks, the Dutch Prime Minister assured the president of the commitment of the Netherlands to concerted action against crude oil theft and global terrorism.
He also assured the president of the willingness of Netherlands to collaborate more with Nigeria on environmental and security issues, particularly in the Niger Delta.
He said: “The President’s visit is an open testimony of the strong ties between Nigeria and Netherlands. Nigeria is Netherlands’ main trading partner in Africa and the Netherlands is the second biggest European investor in Nigeria.”
