Group Backs Obasanjo, Ex-militants’ Claims on Oil Theft: The Need for Action

The Movement for the Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta (MSDND) has supported the claims made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and some ex-Niger Delta warlords regarding the percentages of crude oil stolen from the region and the need for the federal government to address the current economic hardship in Nigeria.

According to the MSDND, Obasanjo’s statement about the poor state of Nigeria’s economy being attributed to the nation’s intentional poor record keeping of the production capacity of crude oil and that 80 per cent of crude oil produced are stolen is a clear statement made based on intelligence and in-depth knowledge of the failed battles against crude oil theft in the country.

The group believes that President Bola Tinubu should take the cue and take the bull by the horn, as the people stealing the crude oil are not along the creeks and waterways of the Niger Delta region.

Instead, the theft is being coordinated and carried out by cartels collaborating with both state and non-state actors.

The MSDND has suggested that President Tinubu should request to meet with these ex-militant leaders, as they have a master-plan in their possession on how to resolve the menace of crude oil theft across the Niger Delta region within 30 days at zero cost to the federal government.

The group has emphasized that there is no need for Nigeria to keep borrowing in order to weaken its economy.

The Niger Delta Ex-militant leaders have a master-plan on how Nigeria can increase its crude oil and gas production and export within thirty (30) days, which will increase the annual revenue by over $10 billion USD at no cost to the federal government.