House Special Committee on Crude Oil Theft Unveils Legislative Overhaul to Combat Oil Theft

House Special Committee on Crude Oil Theft Unveils Legislative Overhaul to Combat Oil Theft.

By _Bridget Yahaya Bauna_

ABUJA In a landmark move to address Nigeria’s crippling crude oil theft crisis, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Special Committee on Crude Oil Theft, announced a sweeping legislative package aimed at securing national oil assets, prosecuting offenders, and restoring accountability in the petroleum sector.

CORE REFORMS
1. Special Courts for Oil Crimes: Establish fast-track tribunals to expedite trials and bypass Nigeria’s backlogged judicial system.
2. Dedicated Security Force: Create a centralized enforcement arm to protect pipelines, wells, and personnel in high-risk oil-producing zones.
3. Collective Committee Sponsorship: Five anti-theft bills to be co-sponsored by the entire committee, ensuring bipartisan ownership and accountability.

KEY QUOTES
Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa (Chairman, Special Committee on Crude Oil Theft):
“Crude oil theft is an existential threat to Nigeria’s economy. We lose over 400,000 barrels daily enough to fund hospitals, schools, and infrastructure. This committee will not fail the Nigerian people. Our proposals, including special courts and a security force, will dismantle the networks profiting from this sabotage.”

Niger Delta Representative:
“Operators collude with thieves to underreport production. By auditing wells and banning shady practices like early production facilities, we will reclaim billions in lost revenue.”

STRATEGIC MEASURES
Transparency Mandates:
Require real-time production tracking via NUPRC-approved flow stations.
Audit all wells against Field Development Plans (FDPs) to identify “lost barrels.”
Industry Crackdown:
Criminalize underreporting and impose harsh penalties for collusion with theft syndicates.
Mandate source-level disclosure of crude volumes before pipeline transfers.
Community Safeguards:
Prioritize lawmakers from oil-rich regions as bill sponsors to amplify local voices.
Establish grievance desks for host communities to report security breaches.

WHY IT MATTERS
Nigeria’s oil sector, which accounts for 90% of foreign exchange earnings, has been crippled by theft and corruption. Hon. Doguwa stressed that the reforms aim to:
Recover $1.2 billion monthly lost to theft.
Restore investor confidence in Africa’s largest oil producer.
Stabilize restive regions where theft fuels violence and environmental degradation.

NEXT STEPS
Public Hearings: Engage operators, regulators (NUPRC), and security agencies starting [Month].
House Debate: Target passage of all five bills by [Month/Year].
Enforcement: Deploy the security force within six months of legislative approval.