The chairman of senate committee on ecology and climate change, Seriake Dickson says the people responsible for oil theft in the Niger Delta lives outside the region.
In a report released by NAN on Friday, Senator Dickson stated that the “big players” are based in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the world.
He spoke during his visit to the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, at Oporoza, Warri, Delta state.
“Those big players behind the crude oil theft are not from the region but are based in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the world,” he said.
“We have no means and no capacity to engage in the high-level operations that result in the daily loss of Nigerian crude oil produced from our place.
“Those who have the capacity to compromise and infiltrate the national security system and infiltrate the national petroleum system; those who have the capacity to hire the tankers and shuttle vessels, they are not Ijaws.
“We do not have the capacity to do that! We do not even have the experience to be involved in that kind of operation.”
The senator added that high-level operations like that requires a lot of resources, coordination, funding and international networking.
Dickson implored Nigeria to augment her game in the international arena by pushing for the designation of the country’s stolen crude oil.
“Those who, on a daily basis, underdeclare what is produced; those who have refused to properly monitor and record what is produced for over 50 or 60 years should take the blame,” Dickson said.
“It is not the Ijaw youth – harmless people without the capacity and without the technical know-how.”
He then applauded the traditional ruler for ensuring peace in his kingdom and the whole of Niger Delta.