Chairman, Civil Liberties Organisation, Mr. Nenji James, says politicians are behind oil theft in the Niger Delta.
James said this during a courtesy visit to the state’s Federated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Yenagoa on Thursday.
He said, “I am always disappointed when people say that the common people in the Niger Delta are those involved in oil theft. This is a fallacy. The real thieves are politicians who use the ordinary persons as fronts. It is time the security agents went beyond rhetoric and go for the real culprits.”
James also advised the security agents to stop aiding oil criminals.
He advocated a comprehensive life insurance for journalists, saying they “operate under risky conditions in the country.”
He said, “Journalists operate under very risky situation in the country. It is imperative that organisations and government institute comprehensive life insurance for the practitioners.”
The CLO boss urged the government not to overlook the root causes of restiveness in the Niger Delta, saying until underdevelopment, oil politics and poverty were addressed, the problems would remain unabated.
In his remarks, Chairman, Federated Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr. Samuel Ese, appealed to those behind oil theft in the region to desist from that.
He said by their action, they were destroying the eco-system in the region, which if not checked would affect socio-economic development of the region.
Ese said, “Oil theft is a serious issue in the region. No matter how people look at it, the consequences will outlive all of us. If you damage the environment, it will take a long time to heal.
“May I therefore appeal to those behind the ugly incident to remember that if they damage the earth, God’s anger will be upon them.”
Culled: Punchng