Minister of Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh, has met with former President Goodluck Jonathan and a prominent Ijaw figure, Asari Dokubo, to seek advice on how the menace of crude oil theft can be checked.

The minister, who said that urgent strategies are needed to combat crude oil theft, lamented that the menace has been detrimental to Nigeria’s oil production.

Mr Momoh, while playing host to Dr Jonathan in his Abuja residence, also sought the input of the former President in areas of infrastructural development, as well as employment opportunities for the teeming youths of Niger Delta.

He appreciated Dr Jonathan’s wisdom and generosity for taking the time to share his insights and guidance during the meeting, noting that his wealth of experience and dedication to the betterment of Nigeria, especially the Niger Delta, was truly commendable.

The minister also commended the former President for his support and mentorship as they work together to address critical challenges and advance the development of the nation.

During the minister’s meeting with Alhaji Asari Dokubo, the former Niger Delta agitator expressed commitment to support efforts towards sanitizing the region as the Minister has shown commitment to addressing the infrastructural deficits in the region.

He called on Niger Deltans to support the minister to ensure that he delivers and to stop enemies of the region from causing obstructions that will derail the development plan of the ministry under the minister’s watch.

The ex-agitator also called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure he brings the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Mallami, to return alleged N600 billion belonging to the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, which he wrongfully channelled to projects that were unrelated to the region.

In a related development, the Special Adviser to the Delta State Government on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Griftson Omatsuli, has described as “dangerous” the clamours for the Federal Government to withdraw the services of pipeline surveillance companies in the Niger Delta.

He stated this during a recent tour of the 87-kilometre Trans Forcados Pipeline contracted to an indigenous firm, Ocean Marine Solutions.
Mr. Omatsuli said the effect of pipeline vandalism, has a terrible impact on the economy, ecosystem, health, infrastructure, and the aquatic life of the communities, hence, withdrawing the services of surveillance firms will worsen the situation and reduce government’s revenue from oil sales.
He said that vandals had committed many atrocities that should not be encouraged, adding that those nurturing the plan do not mean well for Nigerian oil companies producing in the Niger Delta region and government infrastructure.