By Daniel Dafe
In a decisive step toward curbing oil theft and safeguarding national revenue, the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Oil Theft, led by Senator Ned Nwoko, paid a strategic courtesy visit to the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
The visit marks a continuation of the committee’s nationwide stakeholder engagement, aimed at supporting the Federal Government’s economic reforms in the post-subsidy era.
By interfacing directly with key players in oil-producing states, the Senate seeks to craft actionable policies that tackle revenue loss from illicit oil activities.
“This engagement is in line with the Senate’s mandate to interact with stakeholders across the oil sector. The insights we gain are invaluable for designing impactful oversight and policy frameworks,” Senator Nwoko stated.
Beyond the meeting with the state administrator, the delegation also held a closed-door session with Major General Emmanuel Ejim-Emekah, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division of the Nigerian Army.
Discussions focused on improving security collaboration, understanding field realities, and strengthening operational logistics in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
“Effective oversight is impossible without a clear grasp of on-ground security dynamics. Access, protection, and mobility are essential to any intervention in the region,” Nwoko emphasized.
These high-level engagements reflect the Senate’s renewed commitment to fighting oil theft, which remains a major threat to Nigeria’s economic health.
Billions of naira in revenue are lost annually due to pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering, and the black-market oil trade, leakages the committee is determined to plug through informed, coordinated action.
With Senator Nwoko at the helm, the committee’s efforts are gaining momentum, reinforcing the National Assembly’s role in driving reforms that prioritize accountability, transparency, and national development.
