The Nigerian Navy has called for closer partnership and collaboration with Nigeria’s Anti-graft Agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and EFCC, in the fight against illegal oil bunkering and other criminalities across the Niger Delta region.
The Commander, of Nigerian Naval Ship, NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Desmond Igbo made the call in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Southern Nigeria, while on a visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of EFCC.
He said he visited the EFCC to pledge his support for the anti-graft works of the Commission, adding that the Navy will continue to collaborate with the Commission in fighting illegal oil bunkering across the region.
He said, “our aim here is to further cement this cordial relation that has existed before now and to improve and to work in synergy to ensure that the economy of Nigeria is improved. Our dedication, working collaboratively is to improve the economy of Nigeria.”
The Port Harcourt Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Ahmed Ghali, noted that the collaboration between the two agencies was very important “as there is no agency that can execute its mandate without reaching out in one way or the other for support from other agencies”.
He said, “We are indeed grateful for identifying us as one of your stakeholders. We tackle economic and financial crimes, notably illegal dealing in petroleum products.
The mandate you have to eradicate or to bring to the barest minimum cases of crude oil theft and other illegal dealing in petroleum products is also our mandate.”
Ghali further stated that the EFCC will demonstrate more commitment towards eradicating illegal oil bunkering activities across the Niger Delta region.
Dominica Nwabufo
