President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday revealed that the Federal Government has earmarked the sum of N160 billion to combat crude oil theft and the vandalization of oil and gas infrastructure,
The quoted sum will also be used to ensured the apprehension and prosecution of crude oil thieves, he remarked 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, in The Hague.
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He spoke ahead of his participation in the 2014 global Nuclear Security Summit which is attracting other world leaders, beginning today, Monday.
According to a release by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, Jonathan said that already a technical committee had been set up to look into all aspects of the implementation of the programme.
He explained that the programme would include further action to enhance the security of pipelines and other oil industry infrastructure, resolve community-related issues, boost youth empowerment in oil-producing areas and enhance the commitment of oil companies to the discharge of their corporate social responsibilities.
President Jonathan said that 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”.
The Dutch Prime Minister assured the President of the commitment of the Netherlands to concerted action against crude oil theft and global terrorism.
Mr. Rutte, who noted that President Jonathan’s visit affirmed the strong ties between Nigeria and the Netherlands, also assured the President of the willingness of The Netherlands to collaborate more with Nigeria on environmental and security issues, particularly in the Niger Delta.
He praised Nigeria’s leadership role in promoting regional security in West Africa, and welcomed the signing of an agreement on immigration between both countries as well as the strong trade relations between Nigeria and The Netherlands.
“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,” the Dutch Prime Minister said.
Meanwhile, Federal Government and the Republic of Namibia have proposed joint the construction of oil refinery to maximise cooperation in the area of energy.
The decision was reached during the just concluded two-day official visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Namibia at the invitation of his counterpart, President Hifikepunye Pohamba.
In a joint communiqué issued on the visit at the weekend in Windhoek, Namibia, the joint oil refinery which is to be located in Walvis Bay, would be wholly private financed.
The two leaders urged the private sector of both countries to work towards a speedy realisation of the joint oil refinery.