National Conference: Alamieyeseigha attacks Obasanjo, calls him chief oil thief

Alamieyeseigha: “I went to President (Olusegun) Obasanjo. I even accused him that he is the chief bunkerer, that he should not call me again. I also accused him that those that are involved are also sitting in this arena and if he pushed me beyond that I am going to mention names. It became so hot that I was persuaded to follow him to his office. He held my hand and we entered. So there is actually enough intelligence that is open to the presidency. He himself, President Obasanjo, started mentioning names. I said ‘oh, you are the chief bunkerer, I confirm, you know them, don’t call me again.”

By Ehi Ekhator

A former governor of Bayelsa State, also an ex-convict, Chief Diepreye Solomon Alamieyeseigha has lambasted a former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, accusing him of being a chief bunkerer, saying that he knew the oil thieves in Nigeria during his administration,  but protected them.

Alamieyeseigha also lambasted the expatriates in the oil sector over their deep involvement in the illegal activities, saying that they collaborate with militants to kidnap themselves, expect their country to slam Nigeria, and their company (NNPC) woul run to make huge payment for their release, then later share the money with their abductors.

He added that the so called Niger militants are mere escort, and do not have the connection to sell oil out of the country.

He attacked the Nigeria ambassadors in different countries who he said also know of the countries buying Nigeria oil illegally without doing anything.

He cited a period when he arrested some oil thieves in Bayelsa during his time as governor, but to his greatest surprise, they were release following what he referred to as high level of conspiracy.

 The former governor and a delegate from Bayelsa State disclosed this on Monday to members of the Committee when the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC officials appeared before the Senator Adamu Aliero led Community on Public Finance and Revenue

He said, “I had one experience. Tankers were loaded in Bayelsa. I got the information and laid ambush for them and arrested them. About 14 big tankers and they were handed over to the police. They were charged to court and the judge ordered that the product should be tested if they were crude oil. NNPC was invited, they came took the sample and after a week the result came out as agro chemical and before I know it all of them were released.

“I went to President (Olusegun) Obasanjo. I even accused him that he is the chief bunkerer, that he should not call me again. I also accused him that those that are involved are also sitting in this arena and if he pushed me beyond that I am going to mention names. It became so hot that I was persuaded to follow him to his office. He held my hand and we entered. So there is actually enough intelligence that is open to the presidency. He himself, President Obasanjo, started mentioning names. I said ‘oh, you are the chief bunkerer, I confirm, you know them, don’t call me again.

“In fact expatriates are more involved in the crime than Nigerians. In fact some of them even offer themselves to be arrested so that when there is compensation they have a share of it. They are also involved in kidnapping. They allow themselves to be kidnapped. Oil companies are invited, their home countries will shout that their men are kidnapped; management of oil companies will now make efforts and pay ransom. When the ransom is paid they are released and that money is shared among them. So, it is a high level conspiracy that is going on.”

He also indicted some retire naval officers who he said were involve in the oil theft. He stressed that the local boys who are regularly arrested by the police are mere escorts.

He sai  “The so-called militants we celebrate that tap oil are only employed as escorts. If there is no buyer we will not find a seller. The post retirement job of a senior naval officer is bunkering. None of those boys you see in the Niger Delta have the necessary connections to bring ships to our economic zone to lift. Those that are making the connections are also part of us.

“In fact almost 50 percent of what we produce in this country is being siphoned outside to augment the international market. And where is the oil going? It is going to those countries and they know the type of oil that is coming out from Nigeria. It is different from others. The sulphur content here is very low and they know this but everybody is gaining from it.

“Let the federal government send warning letter to all the embassies that are in this country and give them three months. After three months if we see any ship that is not authorized in our economic zone, especially in the Niger Delta, it will be destroyed. Involve the Navy, buy few assault helicopters, buy missiles and after the three months any ship you see inside there by the time you destroy one, two ship no country will allow their ship to ship to enter and so there will be no buyer.” he said

 

National Conference: Alamieyeseigha attacks Obasanjo, calls him chief oil thief