STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan said Sunday at The Hague that the Federal Government has earmarked one billion U.S Dollars for the implementation of a comprehensive programme to check crude oil theft, the vandalism of oil and gas infrastructure, and the
apprehension and prosecution of crude oil thieves.
Speaking 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, President Jonathan said that a technical committee has already been set up to look into all aspects of the implementation of the programme.
This, the President said, will 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 will require the maximum co-operation of the international community, especially countries like the Netherlands which are major stakeholders in the global oil industry.
“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 President who is in the Netherlands for the 2014 global Nuclear Security Summit said.
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 remarked 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.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
March 23, 2014
Okay!!
ReplyDeleteBLOG ANALYSER: they steal ooh or they don't steal oooh I can only be concerned if it has a direct effect on my Finances
Delete$1billion for this project??...ok.
ReplyDeletePlease someone remind me of the reasons behind the removal of Petrol Subsidy. Clueless isn't the same as Shoeless. 2015, be wise.
President Jona keeps putting the carts before the horses, like hell he doesn't know who the thiefs are. Spending our money travelling around the globe. Wasting our resources like its his inheritance. What significant thing has he done with the subsidy money? He shud subsidize our PMS back abeg... He and his cohorts removed it to enrich themselves while the average Nigerian is struggling to pay his rent and children's school fees. The anger of God wud soon befall all those ppl who won't let this country move forward.
ReplyDeleteMy first time of using the word;
ReplyDeleteYIMU!
Who r we deceiving pls? Got it on gud authorities our dear president has boys controlling his own bunkering. Whr do these oil thieves transport their oil? On d sea on big vessels large enough 4 our navy 2 see. Abeg they shld go n rest.
ReplyDelete*authority
DeleteOkay!!!
ReplyDeleteOkay . Anty Ann
ReplyDeleteHe is very clueless about how to move the nation forward as if they don't know the thieves,he is just to weak to deal with them.Weakest president we ever had and i pray the last that will rule this nation.
ReplyDeletefinally bits n pieces of the missing $20bn is resurfacing and they are looking for ways to claim they spent it wisely
ReplyDeleteAkuko. Kobalu beati...mtscheeeew
ReplyDeleteNa today! abeg make una talk another tin, na old story be this! shame on FG.....Nicholas Anelka talking.
ReplyDelete