Curb increasing crude oil theft in Niger Delta, ESG tells military

The Economic Sustenance Group (ESG), on Monday, called on the Armed Forces to help the NigerDelta in tackling growing crude oil theft.

It also admonished leaders of the region and other oil producing communities to support the military in its quest to tame the monster causing the country to lose enormous resources in the oil sector.

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In a statement made available to Defence Correspondent in Abuja, the ESG President and its Secretary, Okoro Anselem and Baba Usman respectively, lamented that environmental challenges, such as the soot in Rivers State as a consequence of the activities of crude oil theft.

ESG said the people of the region are facing environmental challenges as a result of the nefarious activities of a few persons.

The group commended the Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor, for his recent operational visit to troops of Joint Task Force South South Operation Delta Safe.

“Leaders of the Niger-Delta region should as a matter of urgency intensify support and cooperation with the Armed Forces of Nigeria to deal with this nefarious activity that has caused the people serious health challenges.”

“We can’t continue to neglect the soot problem in Port-Harcourt and environs. The health implications cannot be overemphasized,” the statement said.

It also lauded the Chief of Defence Staff for his recent warnings that any personnel engaging in illegal oil bunkering will be punished.