Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has proposed a reformation in the country’s oil and gas industry, News About Nigeria reports.
He made this known while speaking at the first International Anti-Corruption and Climate Change Conference in Abuja on Tuesday.
Olukoyede noted that immediate reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry will address the interconnected crises of corruption and environmental degradation.
He also maintained that the severe environmental damage in the Niger Delta, including oil spills and pollution, is largely driven by corruption, not just natural causes.
According to him, transparency and accountability are essential in addressing these environmental and economic crises.
He, therefore, urged for strict adherence to laws and regulations to combat corruption in the oil industry.
“The Niger Delta today is riddled with cases of oil spills, pollution, and damage to the ecosystem. This cannot be blamed on natural occurrences alone. Corruption is at the root of climate disruptions.
“This engagement for transparency and accountability provides auspicious opportunities for a frank exchange of opinions on the rightful ways to deal with the scourge of corruption in the oil industry and associated sectors. We can reverse them if we embrace accountable practices. This is achievable through compliance with laws and regulations existing in any system,” he stated.
The event, which was organised by the Human and Environmental Media Development Agenda Resource Centre in collaboration with Hawkmoth and supported by the MacArthur Foundation, focused on the relationship between climate change, energy transition, and sustainable development.
