In order for the oil and gas industry to achieve its full potential as an enabler of national economic and industrial growth, its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, has called for the support of the judiciary in tackling the challenges of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
Kyari made the call at the National Judges Capacity Building Workshop on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) and INVESTIN 234, on Thursday in Abuja.
In a goodwill message he delivered at the workshop, the Kyari stated that the gains of the PIA have been severely undermined by crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism and urged the judiciary to consider the creation of a special court to try offences related to crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism or granting accelerated hearings to such cases.
According to him, the role of the judiciary was critical to the success of the efforts of the various security arrangements put in place by the NNPC, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders in the industry.
