Eugene Dibiagwu, the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Regional Development and Amnesty Programme, says coordinated efforts by key stakeholders under the President Bola Tinubu-led administration have led to drastic reduction in oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region.
Mr Dibiagwu stated this while featuring at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Personality Interview Series on Sunday in Abuja.
He said that through the collaboration of his committee with Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd. (TSSNL) and other stakeholders, oil bunkering in the region had been brought to its lowest level in years.
Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd. is a leading indigenous security firm that specialises in the protection of Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure, particularly in the Niger Delta region.
Mr Dibiagwu, who represents Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru West Federal Constituency of Imo in the House of Representatives, said the intervention of the Presidential Amnesty Programme had also helped in curbing pipeline vandalism.
“This is a result of the oversight we have been carrying out. Because of the post-amnesty programme, former generals of the amnesty initiative have been adequately taken care of by the Presidential Amnesty Committee.
“Before Tantita came, before the Presidential Amnesty Programme, production was less than 500,000 barrels per day (bpd). Now we are approaching two million bpd. Presently, we are within the neighbourhood of 1.8 million bpd,” he said.
Mr Dibiagwu added that the committee had also been engaging with the Niger Delta Youths Movement (NDYM) to sensitise the youth on the need to work with the government to end pipeline vandalism.
“As we speak, oil bunkering has been reduced to the barest minimum in the Niger Delta. It is because of the efforts of Tantita Security Services and the work of the Presidential Amnesty Committee under the Tinubu-led government,” he said.
Speaking about gas flaring in the region, Mr Dibiagwu, who hails from Izombe, an oil-bearing community in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo, stated that the area has experienced gas flaring since 1975.
“Oil exploration in my community dates back to 1972. It is worth noting that the Izombe Flow Station is the first indigenous NNPC flow station in the country.
“We have been experiencing gas flaring, and that has caused some unfortunate incidents in the area,” he said.
According to him, the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has helped in addressing some of the issues related to gas flaring.
“Oil companies have been given a timeline to stop flaring. If they do not comply, the PIA imposes fines for such offences, and I am sure those still flaring are paying such fines to the federal government.
“I am confident that within a short time, flaring in my area will stop.
“With the coming on stream of Anoh Gas Plant in Assa Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, the problem of gas flaring in Imo will be a thing of the past,” he stated.
Mr Dibiagwu also commented on the status of the Regional Development Commissions inaugurated by Mr Tinubu, saying only the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) had begun full operations.
“You are aware that some of the commissions are yet to take off, except the North-East Development Commission.
“What we are waiting for now is funding. Once they are funded, we will ensure proper oversight so that funds appropriated by the National Assembly are utilised effectively.
“President Tinubu knows the appropriate time to begin funding them. As a parliamentarian, I believe I have done my part by ensuring that the regional commissions were established. It is left for the president to provide the funding,” the lawmaker added.
(NAN)