Amaechi asks Jonathan to tackle oil theft

RIVERS State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has called on the Federal Government to fight oil theft and financial diversion in the country.

Amaechi made this call on Tuesday when the British Minister for Africa and Member of Parliament, Mr. Mark Simmonds, visited him in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

The governor, who recalled that his administration had procured two surveillance helicopters to assist the Federal Government to fight oil theft, lamented the refusal of the apex government to ensure the arrival of the special helicopters to the state.

He stated that the reason for the refusal of the Federal Government to allow the surveillance helicopters into the country might be political.

“I don’t know how much you have seen about oil theft and I don’t know if the Federal Government is serious about combating oil theft. Why I say this is that for two years now, the Federal Government has refused entry into the country, two surveillance helicopters paid for by the Rivers State Government.

“These helicopters have cameras and their job is to fly all over (the state) and whoever that is stealing oil, you will see. The helicopter will have a monitor with the Army, Police, Airforce and with the Department of State Security.

“I suspect the refusal may be for political reasons. The helicopters have been packed in America for two years now and the Rivers State Government is paying demurrage on them. But if you see how much oil we are losing, we hear it is about $7bn annually. Then you will see that we need the helicopters.”

“The manufacturers have told us if they should sell them. So, if they (Federal Government) say they need help, why not bring in the helicopters rather than run to the British Government.

“These are questions you should ask them. I said same thing to the American delegation. Our problem is not just oil theft, which is causing this country to lose about $7bn a year, but financial diversion also,” Amaechi added.

The governor recalled that the last letter written by the suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, was the diversion of $49.8bn.

“Now, they have been able to manage the crisis to reach $20bn dollars. But $49.8bn was spent outside the appropriation law. So, it is all about diversion. While I join you to say we should fight oil theft, when the British Prime Minister meets the Nigerian president, he should also deal with the issue of financial diversion. The way the President spoke in his media chat on Monday, there seems to be uncertainty.”