By Ebere Nwafor
In a major boost to Nigeria’s fight against crude oil theft, the civil society group Organisations for Human and Peoples Rights Protection (OHPRPH) has thrown its support behind the appointment of Senator Ned Nwoko as Chairman of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft.
In a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala, and Publicity Secretary, Chief Mrs. Rosemary Ishioma Oshilim, the group highlighted the urgent need to tackle crude oil theft, which has crippled Nigeria’s economy and caused severe environmental damage.
“Senator Nwoko’s appointment comes at a critical time when the nation is grappling with the devastating consequences of oil theft. This criminal activity not only depletes the country’s resources but also affects the livelihoods of many Nigerians,” the statement read.
Kagbala praised Nwoko’s track record of public service and his commitment to national development.
“His vast experience and dedication to the welfare of the Nigerian people make him the ideal candidate to chair this committee. Under his leadership, we believe the committee will implement effective strategies to curb oil theft while promoting transparency and accountability in the oil sector,” the statement added.
The group also emphasized the need for strong legal and security frameworks to prevent further oil theft and urged Nwoko to collaborate with local communities and key stakeholders to find sustainable solutions.
As a champion of human rights and environmental protection, OHPRPH sees Nwoko’s appointment as a positive step toward restoring integrity in Nigeria’s oil industry.
With the nation watching closely, expectations are high that the committee, under Senator Nwoko’s leadership, will make meaningful progress in combating oil theft and safeguarding Nigeria’s natural resources for future generations
