The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to promptly set up a presidential panel of enquiry to thoroughly, impartially, and transparently investigate the operations of illegal oil pipelines from 2001 to date and to widely publish the names of anyone suspected to be involved.
SERAPs letter followed the recent reports that two illegal pipelines used to steal the countrys oil wealth from Forcados Terminal, and connected to the 48-inch Trans Forcados Export Trunk line, have been uncovered.
In the open letter dated 15 October, and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged him to ensure the prosecution by appropriate anti-corruption agencies of anyone suspected to be responsible for the plundering of the countrys oil wealth and the full recovery of any proceeds of crime.
SERAP also urged him to promptly authorise the investigation of reports of the destruction of an oil bunkering vessel by security agencies and to ensure that suspected owners of the vessel are identified, named and brought to justice.
The letter read in part: Despite the countrys substantial oil wealth, successive governments have largely squandered the opportunity to use the wealth to improve the lives and well-being of ordinary Nigerians. This is a clear violation of the governments anti-corruption and human rights obligations.
SERAP is concerned that the illegal pipelines have been operated for many years without notice, implying a flagrant violation of constitutional and international obligations to ensure the proper, effective and efficient management of the countrys wealth and natural resources.
The plundering of the countrys oil wealth has resulted in the downward trend in revenue and increasing level of borrowing, with reports of a projected N11.30 trillion deficit budget for 2023.
SERAP is concerned that the unaddressed plundering of the countrys oil wealth has for many years contributed to shrinking revenue, chronic underfunding of public goods and services such as education, health, and access to safe drinking water, recurring budget deficits, growing level of borrowing, and unsustainable debt profile.
According to a Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) audit report, 160 million barrels of crude oil valued at $13.7 billion, was stolen in four years (2009-2012). There is also a report of $17 billion debt of under-declared crude oil lifted by some international oil companies (IOCs) between 2011 and 2014.
According to reports, Nigeria has seen increased oil theft in recent years. The country loses 470,000 barrels of crude oil monthly amounting to $700 million to oil theft. The country has reportedly lost $10 billion to crude oil theft in seven months, which is stated to be more than 50 per cent of Nigerias external reserves.
SERAP said, Your government has a legal obligation to ensure that the countrys oil wealth is used solely for the benefit of the Nigerian people, and that the wealth does not end up in private pockets, for the sake of the present and future generations.
We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest, the organisation stated.
