Europe to ban oil stolen from Nigeria

The European Parliament is set to stop
the purchase of stolen oil from Nigeria in
Europe.
Any crude oil meant to be sold in the
European market is now to be
accompanied with a certificate of origin.
This was one of the landmark decisions
taken at the meeting of the members of
the African, Caribbean, Pacific Parliaments
and their European Union counterparts
(ACP-EU) at the conclusion of their three-
day regional meeting in Abuja last week.
Mitchell Rivasi (Acting Co- President ACP-
EU) and Joyce Laboso (Co- Secretary
General) told reporters that the need to
stop the huge loss of Nigeria's oil to
organised syndicates of oil thieves
necessitated the decision.
The Federal Government said last week
after the National Economic Council (NEC)
meeting that 400, 000 barrels of oil, an
equivalent of N7.3million, is lost daily to
oil thieves.
Rivasi Said: "We want to ban European
refineries from buying un-certificated oil.
400, 000 barrels a day is a huge loss. We
need to get traceability of oil to avoid
theft. The oil companies are involved in
this and everybody is making big money.
"The bunkering tankers are better
equipped than the Nigerian Navy, This is a
huge international organised crime. We
did it with diamond; we can also do it
with oil."
According to her, the country would have
been better off if it had functional
refineries. "Could someone please
explain why you don't have refineries in
Nigeria?" She asked, describing Nigeria as
a "paradox".
"There is a paradox in Nigeria. There's a
seven per cent growth in the economy,
but growth and employment are not
going hand-in-hand. We need to respond
to this paradox."
Rivasi also said she would insist that the
Boko Haram issue be included in the
communique. "They kill people and burn
churches. The international community
has to help and this is something that is
not reflected (in the communique). We
must say that they should anticipate or
pre-empt before the situation gets worse
or deteriorate."
Rivasi, who is from France, recalled that
Boko Haram captured a French family.
"This problem, we need on the one hand
to use force because these are people
that kill civilians and rob banks, attack
police stations and steal arms. There is a
high level of inequality in Nigeria; some
are super rich and others live on less than
two dollars daily. We must provide jobs."
Responding to a question on the planned
£3000 visa bond proposed by the United
Kingdom, she said:
"We (Europe) have unemployment of
more than 12 per cent; others 20 and
Spain 57. We are trying to get you to
develop in your own country. People
should be able to develop in their own
country." According to her, this could be
done by funding small-scale industries.
The communique issued at the end of the
meeting reads: "With particular regard to
the Nigerian oil industry, Members
stressed the need to ensure that the
revenues generated from the extractive
industry are distributed transparently and
equitably through the national budget in
order to contribute to sustainable
development and poverty reduction.
"Members also expressed concern at the
high rates of oil thefts, wastage and illegal
bunkering which lead to substantial
revenue losses and environmental
degradation. Members called on the
Nigerian government to put in place
appropriate mechanisms and measures to
fight against this organised crime."
House of Representatives Speaker Aminu
Tambuwal solicited the support of the
international parliaments in addressing oil
theft.
He said: "We ask for you to support
Nigeria's effort in addressing the issue of
oil theft. Here, we will come up with stiff
legislation against it. But the oil is being
taken out and is going to other places. If
possible, we require very stiff legislation
from the European Union and other
countries that are destination for the oil.
It has very high negative impact on the
economy and by extension, the people."
Tambuwal said West Africa had been
facing a lot of security issues. "Here in
Nigeria, we have taken extreme measures
to ensure there is peace. As a parliament,
we are supporting the executive through
legislation, especially on the issue of
funding."
The ACP-EU meeting was attended by 20
lawmakers (12 from Africa and eight from
Europe).