Nigeria’s House of Representatives has called for investigations into the burning of an illegal oil vessel seized by the Nigerian Navy.
The House said it wants to know the circumstances and reason for the destruction of the illegal oil bunkering vessel expressing surprise that the vessel ought to have been kept for evidence in court.
The resolution was a sequel to a motion of urgent public importance moved by Luke Onofiok on Wednesday.
He said the oil theft has affected both the economy and the environment in the past couple of months, noting that oil theft has caused the country to lose 470, 000 barrels per day amounting to 700 million dollars monthly.
The figures he announced are according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
He also commended the responsiveness of the private security firm which stepped in to uncover the oil theft leading to the apprehending of an illegal oil Ibunkering vessel which was handed over to the security agencies.
He, however, expressed unhappiness at the burning of the vessel by the security agencies.
Onofiok stressed that the vessel would have been a major piece of evidence in the prosecution of the culprits.
Reacting to the motion, the Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase said the House was committed to solving the oil theft menace by all means necessary.
He stated that the legislative arms were fully backing the executive on this.
DAILY POST
