The Special Committee on Oil Theft/Losses of the House of Representatives has called for the audit and risk assessment of oil pipelines in the country.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon Alhassan Ado-Doguwa during a working visit to the commandant general of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Audi in Abuja, he remarked that the measure would go along way in tackling oil theft, vandalism and other such activities inimical to the economic health of the country.

The lawmaker pledged to provide support for the NSCDC to protect critical national infrastructure which includes oil pipelines and other oil and gas assets

Represented by his deputy, Hon Sesi Olawasegun, he lauded the Corps for its efforts in tackling the menace of oil theft and pipelines vandalisation in the country.

He said, as the lead agency, the Corps should as a matter of priority and in collaboration with other stakeholders develop a Critical National Security Assets and infrastructure ( CNAI) Protection Response Plan that designates roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders.

The lawmaker warned “saboteurs and enemies of our country to have a rethink and desist from their evil onslaught on the economic livewire of this nation. ”

He said, Nigeria is the only country “we can call our own, and we all must join hands to build it.”

He said, “These core responsibility of protecting Critical National Security Assets and infrastructure (CNAI) among others are so germane to solving the devastating menace of crude oil theft currently ravaging our country

“May I also emphasise that the protection of critical assets and infrastructure is very vital to the continued existence of every nation globally. To that effect, the Nigeria’s National Security Strategy (NNSS) 2019, captured and emphasised the urgent need for safeguarding these assets.

“It was clearly stated in the National Security Strategy document that: ‘The key objectives of identifying, classifying and prioritizing Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) are to determine appropriate levels of protection required for each CNAI or groups of CNAI; enhance the resilience of CNAI to hazards; and minimize the effect of attacks or disasters on CNΑΙ.’

“The document further highlighted that: “The lead agency statutorily responsible for protecting all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) is the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). This therefore means that a lot is expected from the Corp.

“I commend the Commandant General and the officers and men of the Corp for your outstanding commitment in delivering on your several mandates despite the enormous challenges confronting the Corp, however, the reality of what the country is facing today demands more from all of us.

“The special committee on Oil Theft/Losses have the mandate of the House to work with you to address the challenge of oil theft.

“Ladies and gentlemen, It is on record that the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Alhaji Mele Kyari was recently reported to have lamented that the over 5,000 kilometres of oil pipelines are not working due to pipeline vandalism.

“Likewise, the Presidential Special Investigative Panel on Oil theft/Losses in Nigeria stated in their report that ‘crude oil theft and related pipeline sabotage have forced some companies to shut down production and/ or sell off their assets. Shell, Chevron, Mobil and other IOCs are divesting their land and shallow water assets mainly because they no longer see growth potentials in them.

“‘It is also the same for Marginal field operators. They all cite the significance difference between what they produce at the wellheads and output at the terminals, as an operational challenge that occasions huge losses of their investment.”

The Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi, expressed appreciation to the National Assembly for the support but said there was still so much that needed to be done to enae the corps effectively achieve its mandate.

He said so far over 600 vandals had been arrested and more than 200 successfully prosecuted.

The Commandant General said the Corps has developed kinetic and non-kinetic measures to deal with the problem in spite the challenges of paucity of funds it had been grappling with over the years.