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Okowa advocates PIA enforcement to check oil theft
Okowa advocates PIA enforcement to check oil theft
Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta, Sen (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has called for proper enforcement of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to effectively check oil theft in the country.
Okowa stated this on Sunday while featuring on Channels Television’s ‘People’s Townhall’, a special programme for presidential candidates in the 2023 general elections.
He said that Nigeria wasn’t getting the maximum benefit from its oil production because it was hamstrung by high-profile oil theft, including illegal oil bunkering, which had negatively affected the country’s oil production quota.
He stated that Nigeria was losing out on natural gas resources due to its inability to harness it like other nations, but assured that the Atiku Abubakar administration would continue with the country’s gas development plan as an alternative source of revenue.
“While other countries are getting a lot more resources from oil to develop other sectors of their economy, we don’t seem to benefit from that because we are producing less than what we ought to produce.
“There is the need to ramp up production by dealing with illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta through strong community engagement and by ensuring implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
“We can also achieve that by ensuring the communities have buy-in and also work with security agencies to deal with oil theft.
“The gas sector is one sector that we tend to ignore. When we come in next year we will ensure the continuation of the gas development plan, and that reforms are carried out critically to rake in more resources for the country,” Okowa said.
On subsidy removal, the vice-presidential candidate said the PDP administration would be headed by Atiku Abubakar would be committed to fueling subsidy removal because it was draining resources of the country.
According to him, Nigeria cannot continue to borrow to fund fuel subsidies while other critical sectors are facing inadequate funding.
“Subsidy removal is important because other critical sectors like Education and Health are suffering; so, removing subsidy would free more funds for the development of those sectors which provide critical services to those at the lower rung of the society.”
He said that Abubakar would provide the much-needed leadership to salvage the nation from its current travails.
Okowa advocates PIA enforcement to check oil theft
Troops arrest suspected ammunition racketeer in Cross River
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 245 Battalion have arrested a suspected ammunition racketeer in Cross River State in an ongoing effort to curb illegal arms circulation.
A military source said the suspect was apprehended at about 11:35 p.m. on April 14 in Abong-Ebam Community, Boki Local Government Area, while riding on a motorcycle.
According to the source, troops intercepted the suspect during a routine operation and discovered 25 cartridges in his possession.
The suspect was immediately taken into custody for further investigation to determine the source and intended destination of the ammunition.
The military said preliminary interrogation is ongoing as part of efforts to dismantle arms trafficking networks operating within the area.
Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to sustained patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at preventing the proliferation of illegal weapons and enhancing security in Cross River and adjoining states.
Troops arrest suspected ammunition racketeer in Cross River
Troops, NDLEA arrest 8 suspects, recover illicit drugs in Bayelsa raid
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Headquarters 16 Brigade, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have arrested eight suspects and recovered quantities of illicit drugs during coordinated raids in Bayelsa State.
A military source said the operation was conducted at about 10:30 a.m. on April 14 across Obunagha, Azikoro and Swali communities in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Amassoma in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, and Imiringi in Ogbia Local Government Area.
According to the source, the joint operation led to the arrest of eight suspects and the recovery of about 850 grammes of cannabis sativa and 11 grammes of methamphetamine.
The suspects and recovered substances have since been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Security authorities said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking and related criminal activities in the Niger Delta region.
Troops, NDLEA arrest 8 suspects, recover illicit drugs in Bayelsa raid
Troops foil bandit attack, rescue 10 victims in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Joint Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA in Katsina State have foiled a bandit attack and rescued 10 kidnapped persons in Faskari Local Government Area of the state.
Sources said the incident occurred in the early hours of April 12 at Sabon Garin Yankara village following a distress call received at about 3:30 a.m.
According to the sources, a large number of armed bandits invaded the community, prompting the joint troops to be deployed in the area.
They added that the joint team tactically blocked the escape routes of the attackers and engaged them in a fierce gun duel.
“The bandits were forced to abandon the kidnapped victims and fled with gunshot injuries, leading to the rescue of all 10 victims unharmed,” the sources said.
The sources, however, disclosed that a vigilante member, identified as Sanusi Naatta, 45, sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter and was later confirmed dead at a hospital.
They noted that security operatives have since blocked all exit routes, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Troops foil bandit attack, rescue 10 victims in Katsina
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