The British deputy high commissioner (DHC), Mr Peter Carter, has described as criminals those involved in illegal bunkering, pipeline vandals and others involved in illegitimate scooping of Nigeria’s oil.

Carter also expressed deep fears that if the trend is not addressed appropriately, the impact it will have on the economy would be colossal.

The high commissioner stated this during an interview with LEADERSHIP in Lagos yesterday. He cautioned the federal government on the steps being taken, saying full measures have become imperative now to wrestle the criminals.

“Those who steal the Nigeria oil are criminals and their activities are not in the economic interest of the country and her people,” he bluntly declared.

He also said pipeline vandalism occasioned by militant activities in addition to other forms of illegal acts on oil facilities have led to unquantifiable damage to the environment.

Carter, who perhaps was speaking on the strength of the country’s dependency on oil, warned that except drastic approach is taken with the concerted effort of all stakeholders, the oil thieves will continue to hold the nation to ransom.

He observed that the loss coming from oil theft is enormous and may create shock on the economy which is on the path of recovery.

The British envoy also maintained that without a legislative infrastructure and effective government policy in place, achieving real change in economic models as well as public and private behaviour would be significantly difficult.

He called for attitudinal change among the people but emphasised on the need for government to provide adequate fund mechanism to address dearth of infrastructure needed to prop the economy.

He added that the British government had shown keen interest in the country’s energy sector.

Carter said his government is discussing directly with the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) to develop a sophisticated carbon supply and demand forecasting tool for Nigeria.

He said, “We are also engaged in discussions with the Lagos State commissioner for energy and minerals in particular on renewable energy such as solar to power street lamps, energy from waste and hydro-power.”

This man should just shut up and do the right thing!!! UK is one of the buyers of stolen crude till today, even after when GEJ led an international campaign to label stolen crude as forbidden in the international markets just like the 'blood diamond', UK was among the countries that frustrated that move.

If UK is really interested in what happens to oil thieves, why not start by at least issuing an official ban on ALL stolen crude from Nigeria. That is a way to encourage Nigeria, not by yearning dust!!

So because there is a market for stolen cars, thieves should not be discouraged from stealing cars anyway, buyers should be discouraged from buying stolen cars.. hmmm..

Na today yansh get "center-parting"?? Abi dog dey chop dog??

Abeg make dem leave Ebele alone ooo

lagerwhenindoubt: So because there is a market for stolen cars, thieves should not be discouraged from stealing cars anyway, buyers should be discouraged from buying stolen cars.. hmmm..

Thank you. The upside down logic of some people

Frank-C:
This man should just shut up and do the right thing!!! UK is one of the buyers of stolen crude till today, even after when GEJ led an international campaign to label stolen crude as forbidden in the international markets just like the 'blood diamond', UK was among the countries that frustrated that move.

If UK is really interested in what happens to oil thieves, why not start by at least issuing an official ban on ALL stolen crude from Nigeria. That is a way to encourage Nigeria, not by yearning dust!!

Or maybe your President should not give responsibility of guarding the Nation's waterways to Militants?

What else will they be interested in if not Oil? If there are no buyers of stolen crude oil, there will be no oil thieves. bloody hypocrites!

gbanikiti: What else will they be interested in if not Oil? If there are no buyers of stolen crude oil, there will be no oil thieves. bloody hypocrites!

So it's their fault that ur system is as porous as a basket..........abi??