The Federal Government in collaboration with all stakeholders have put in place a mechanism for effective and efficient management of illegally refined products recovered from dug-up pits found around the creeks of the Niger Delta.
The Honourable Attorney-General of Federation and Minister of Justice (HAGF) Abubakar Malami, SAN disclosed this at the inauguration ceremony of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Recovery of Illegally Refined Petroleum Product (Crude Oil) in the Dug-Up Pits found around the Creeks of the Niger Delta, in Abuja on Thursday September 23rd, 2021.
Malami said, the exercise is in line with the policy of the current administration on security and economy as well as preservation of the environment from negative hazards.
Representing the HAGF, the Acting Solicitor General of the Federation /Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Umar Etsu Mohammed,Esq explained that the mechanism was agreed by the relevant stakeholders and submitted to the HAGF who considered and approved the establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Committee(IMC) for the purpose of implementing the Mechanism known as ‘’Standard Operating Procedure’’ (SOP) for the recovery of illegally refined petroleum products (crude oil) in the Dug-up Pit found around the creeks of the Niger Delta.
HAGF further explained that the responsibility of the IMC is to detect, report, evacuate, assess and ensure transparent disposal of the product with due consideration to the environment.
According to him, “the IMC shall be guided by the SOP as developed project, adding that the content of the SOP is drawn from the provision of the Asset Tracing, Recovery and Management Regulations 2019”.
The Honourable Minister who inaugurated the committee members urged them to work as a formidable team in accordance with extant laws and regulations. He hoped that the proceeds from the exercise will be a source of additional revenue for the country.
Members of the Committee were drawn from relevant MDA’s whose mandates relate to defence, security, environment, petroleum and asset recovery. They are as follows: Federal Ministries of Justice, Defence, Environment, Defence Headquarters, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
Others are the Nigerian Army, Navy, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of Petroleum Resources; and National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency.
In his vote of thanks, a representative from the Defence Headquarters, Real Admiral T.J Maigida expressed appreciation to the HAGF for his initiative towards setting up the Committee.
He called for the return of the stolen petroleum resources and advised that revenues generated should be meaningfully used for the benefit of the country.
Modupe Ogundoro
Deputy Director (Information)
23rd September, 2021
