*Malam Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, laments how the high spate of oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the downstream petroleum sector has severely undermined the expected gains of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 for the industry, and Nigerian economy

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Against the backdrop of persistent oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the downstream petroleum sector, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL) has advocated creation of a special court to try offenders, or the granting of accelerated hearing to such cases.

绿帽献妻 learnt Malam Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL, Thursday, June 13, 2024, lamented the spate of oil theft and pipeline vandalism had severely undermined the gains of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 for the industry in particular, and Nigerian economy in general.

Kyari stated this in his goodwill message delivered at the National Judges Capacity Building Workshop on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) and INVESTIN 234, in Abuja, FCT.

The NNPCL Group Chief Executive asserted the establishment of a special court on crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the West African country would enable the oil and gas industry achieve its full potential as an enabler of national economic and industrial growth.

Mr. Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer at NNPCL, also stated Kyari equally urged the country’s Judiciary for support in tackling the twin challenges of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the significant sector of the economy.

The NNPCL Chief equally acknowledged role of the Judiciary as critical to the success of the efforts of the various security arrangements the state oil firm instituted, the law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders in the industry.

鈥淚n particular, is the recommendation that a special court be created to try those offences as they hinge on our survival as a country, and/or for such trials to be conducted under an accelerated hearing process by the issuance of Practice Directions to that effect, with concomitant sanctions to deter would-be offenders,鈥� stated Kyari.

The GCEO, therefore, urged the Judiciary to accelerate hearing in criminal cases in the courts, through timely determination of the criminal charges and imposition of adequate punishments and sanctions on culprits to serve as a deterrent to others.

According to him, NNPCL remains committed to collaborating with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the PIA.

Kyari said: “Together, we can ensure that the benefits of our natural resources are maximised for the economic and social development of our country.鈥�

He as well commended Olukayode Ariwoola, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), and the organisers of the workshop for extending invitation to him, and the opportunity to deliver a goodwill message at the workshop in Abuja.