By Mohammad Inuwa.
The President, O’odua Stakeholders Council OSC, Alhaji Bashir Olaosebikan has described the Nigerian Navy as an “Albatross” to the economy of Nigeria.
A statement jointly signed and released on Saturday in Ibadan by the President of the group , Alhaji Bashiru Olaosebikan and Kikelomo Ijaodola, Director of Administration in an open letter to President Tinubu, the body averred that with the complicity of the Nigerian Navy in the oil theft prevalent in the Niger Delta region , it became necessary for it to raise alarm to protect the economy of the country.
They further states that the statutory functions of the Nigerian Navy in the protection of maritime environment has climaxed into economic sabotage.
The leadership of Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla of the Nigerian Navy has now reverted to the patronage of non state actors and criminals who indulged in collision, connivance to siphon our common patrimony for export, frustrating the war against oil theft.
With crude oil accounting for about 95% of the nations revenue, the involvement of the Navy in its illicit activities had become counterproductive and unbecoming in the current drive of Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
While calling for a swift action and Presidential action by removing the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, stating that his continuous stay in office amount to patronizing traitors and saboteurs at the expense of the country.
They further states that tolerating the current shenanigans of the top echelon of the Nigerian Navy will amount to reversing the realization of 2.00MBPD already in the offing.
Ogalla’s removal will open up a chapter that will usher in patriotic officers to take over the mantle of the Nigerian Navy, to unravel the rots in our territorial waters. they said .
The group also pleaded for a high powered investigative panel to unravel the allegations levelled against the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
The alarm raised by the Chief Executive Officer, Tantita Security, Government Ekpemukpolo Tompolo was so weighty and desiring government attention against the Navy .
They asked for Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu promptness by removing Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, repositioning the Nigerian Navy from top to bottom, and launched a forensic audit to curb the menace of oil theft in the country.
The statement further reads…
O’ODUA STAKEHOLDERS COUNCIL (OSC)
30, IBADAN/OSOGBO ROAD, ACADEMY, IBADAN, OYO STATE.
OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER – IN – CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.
ATTENTION:
His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Gcfr,
The Presidential Villa, Aso Rock
Abuja.
CRUDE OIL THEFT: THE NIGERIAN NAVY AS NATION’S ECONOMIC ALBATROSS
“We, the O’Odua Stakeholders Council, South-West Nigeria, are writing to bring to your attention a pressing national issue of extreme concern that requires your immediate intervention. It is the Nigerian Navy’s involvement in crude oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region.”
“The criminal act has reached a climax, and now of alarming proportions.”
“You know quite well that the Nigerian Navy’s constitutional responsibility is to protect the nation’s maritime environment.”
“However, it is unfortunate that under the leadership of Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Navy has not manned up to deliver on the said mandate. ”
“Instead, it has become the enfant terrible to our national interest, as the service is neck-deep in illegal siphoning of crude for export, and consistently frustrates the war against oil theft.”
“The implications of the Navy’s involvement in illegal bunkering have far-reaching consequences for the economic and political survival of the nation.”
“Crude oil export accounts for more than 95 percent of the foreign earnings of this country.”
“Therefore, any agency of the Federal Government that trifles with the nation’s economic base must be under the supervision of traitors and saboteurs.”
“Such an agency deserves nothing less than a strong reprimand and the wielding of the big stick of Mr. President. ”
“The President must not tolerate the current shenanigans of the Navy. The activities of the service stand opposed to realizing the targeted optimal production of over 2.0 million barrels per day.”
“Therefore, a quick surgical procedure must be done to remove the malignancy.”
“In this vein, we urge you to take immediate action to address the anomaly.”
“Nothing, but the removal of Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, as Chief of Naval Staff, is the ultimate solution. He is just not up to it. His leadership outrightly failed to inspire confidence. ”
“His removal has therefore become necessary, no oracle is needed to determine whether he is still suitable for the top job.”
“Admiral Ogalla’s departure would open a path for a disciplined and patriotic officer to take over. He cannot say he is unaware of the activities of his officers and men on duty in the nation’s territorial waters. Hence, we are sure he is compromised and deeply involved in the clandestine bunkering.”
“Consequences on the foregoing, we request that Mr. President set-up a high powered investigative panel to X-ray and determine the accusations being levelled against the Navy and the position of Admiral Ogalla in all of it.”
“There is no smoke without fire – all that is required to ascertain whether there is one, is a brisk walk up to the source, and look around for who caused it. If Ogalla and his men are found culpable – then they must bear the full weight of the law.”
“Chief Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, the chief executive of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, has been bellowing at the top of his voice on the Nigerian Navy’s involvement in crude oil theft. He made bold to unveil the unpatriotic activities of the Navy recently while receiving the national leadership of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) at his Oporoza, Delta State, country-home. ”
“We in this Yoruba group believed him and we are giving him our backing in the crusade to get the Navy accountable.”
“That the Navy uses unregistered foreign vessels in the operations, which the service personnel escort under armed guard out into the deep sea for shipping abroad is a notorious fact. This is against the national interest – clear a case of economic sabotage.”
” The accusations are too weighty to be swept under the carpet.”
“Tompolo has not held back, he openly gave instances where Naval personnel on duty in the high seas had intervened to stop the arrest of oil thieves, and provided protection for oil thieves in the Niger Delta. It is a clear betrayal of the trust vested on the Nigerian Navy.”
“We believe that Tompolo’s allegations are credible, given his experience and expertise in the field of oil pipelines surveillance and protection in the region.”
” Aside patriotism, Tompolo has no benefit calling out the navy. We see his actions as those of a true patriot, a man with the nation’s interest at heart.”
“The Navy’s involvement in oil theft is a slap to the face of Nigeria and Mr. President, who trusts Admiral Ogalla.”
” The illegal activities of his seafarers are clear signals that some individuals in position of authority and responsibility are more interested in lining their pockets with treasures left in their care, than serve the nation with dedication.”
“We are further inclined to believe Tompolo through his comments, which were openly made.”
” Indeed, through Chief Ekpemupolo, we follow up on the nefarious activities of the Nigerian Navy.”
*The private security firm operated by him, has made available a well dispersed, capable workforce of knowledgeable and skilled operatives, who deploy digital technologies to provide information. ”
“Through the foregoing, it has become quite easy to access and evaluate the accusations of sabotage being levelled against the Navy.”
“Consequently, we request that Mr. President takes the following actions:”
“(1) Prompt removal of Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, as Chief of Naval Staff.”
“(2) Investigate all allegations of oil theft and economic sabotage made against the Navy.”
” (3) Lastly, take quick decisive actions to curb the menace of oil theft in the Niger Delta.”
“Mr. President sir, the time to act is now.”
“The nation cannot afford to wait any longer. We push that you prioritize immediate reforms to enhance accountability, be not perturbed by sentiments that may lead to harbouring criminals whose missions are at variance with the national interest. ”
“In addition, we suggest that you do a complete overhaul of the Navy’s architecture to ensure it returns to its professionalism. The rot in the Navy must not be allowed to subsist.”
“Mr. President, your prompt attention to this matter will restore the integrity of the Nigerian Navy and ensure that the country’s economic interests are protected.”
“We await your prompt actions on this matter. And as we navigate these challenging times, it is urged that you take our petition seriously and remedy the issues raised.”
Yours sincerely,
ALHAJI BASIRU OLAOSEBIKAN – PRESIDENT
KIKELOMO IJAODOLA – DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION
