The chairman of the House of Representatives special committee investigating crude oil theft in Nigerian has blamed mismanagement of the Niger Delta commission for majorly contributing to oil theft in the Niger delta region.

This was as lawmakers investigating the issue of theft and revenue losses in the oil and gas sector engaged with the leadership of the NDDC.
At the hearing which was held in Abuja on Thursday, the committee urged them to be up and doing to help mitigate the challenge of oil theft in the country.
Engaging critical stakeholders to understand the extent of the criminal act and proffer lasting solutions, some lawmakers say the lack of access to petroleum products for riverine communities and the mismanagement of the Niger Delta Development Commission's contribution to oil theft encouraged oil theft.

In their response, the NDDC claimed that its programs and projects within the Niger Delta region over time, have helped efforts to mitigate oil theft.

On its part, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who said they have convicted several individuals on oil theft and illegal dealings noted lack of transparency in community compensations as well as in the implementation of best practices by companies.

The anti-graft agency expressed worry over bottlenecks in curbing oil theft calling for the establishment of a Specialized Court to enable speedy prosecution of suspected oil thieves.

Other agencies such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agencies that were also present at the investigative hearing complained of not being carried along in crude oil dealings in the country.