Imo Governor Hope Uzodinma has assured the Federal Government that it is doing everything possible to bring the menace of crude oil theft and its attendant ills on the nation’s economy to an end.
Uzodinma spoke to journalists at the State House, Abuja, after a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima.
He informed me that he discussed progress being made on the fight against oil theft with Shettima.
Uzodinma is the Chairman of the National Economic Council’s (NEC) sub-committee on crude oil theft prevention, set up in 2023 to review the existing architecture and make recommendations to stop oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
Over many years, Nigeria has lost billions of dollars in revenue to crude oil theft, which has thrived despite measures introduced by the government.
The Governor said: “I came to give him an interim briefing arising from the subcommittee on crude oil theft that I am chairing on behalf of NEC. So we had a very positive discussion. It’s still a work in progress.
“We are addressing it. At the end of the day, we are going to bring a final solution to this monster called crude oil theft.”
He also spoke on the importance of reconciliation efforts within the APC, citing the ongoing rapprochement between the party and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano State.
He said the most important thing is the interest of Nigeria and the people, irrespective of political affiliations.
Asked how important Kano is to APC, he said, “Kano is not only important to APC but to Nigeria, so it’s an important state for all of us.
“NNPP is a political party; APC is a political party. The most important thing is the interest of Nigerians and the people,” he added.
