The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening security in the Niger Delta as part of efforts to increase crude oil production, saying that issues of piracy and armed robbery in the region have “really gone down”.

This followed a closed-door meeting with key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector at the 6 Division Headquarters, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt Barracks, Rivers State.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, said the engagement was a continuation of previous consultations aimed at assessing progress and identifying solutions to challenges confronting the oil industry.

“It’s been good. It could be better, but the members of the Armed Forces are working tirelessly to ensure that the area is secured,” Musa said.

“Issues of piracy, armed robbery and all these have really gone down.

“Production has improved. We are far above our oil contract production, and we are aiming very, very high,” he added.

The minister explained that host communities were invited to the meeting to ensure their concerns were reflected in the government’s plans for improving security and increasing production.

“We even invited the communities so that we can hear from their own aspect what the challenges are. The President is really determined to ensure that the oil-producing areas are well secured and the oil communities are happy and well taken care of, so that we can have more production,” Musa added.

According to the defence minister, one of the major issues raised during the meeting was the need to strengthen trust between host communities and oil operators.

He said the Armed Forces would continue to deepen civil-military relations and stakeholder engagement to bridge the gap.

Musa also used the opportunity to address Nigeria’s broader security challenges, calling on citizens to support security agencies with credible information.

“This is a Nigerian challenge. Terrorism is now a worldwide affair and we need everybody to be on board. The terrorists and bandits live within the communities. If the people don’t provide information and continue to support them with logistics, it creates this atmosphere of insecurity,” he said.

Expressing optimism about ongoing security operations, the minister added, “Working together with the security forces, we’ll achieve—and we’re already achieving—so much.”

The meeting brought together senior security officers, regulators, international oil companies (IOCs), indigenous oil firms, oil host community representatives and other stakeholders.

It was the first such engagement by Minister Musa since assuming office and, according to him, was held at the directive of President Bola Tinubu to review security in the Niger Delta and chart a path towards increased crude oil production.

Among the stakeholders at the meeting was Asari Dokubo, the Paramount Ruler of Elem Kalabari, who described the engagement as a positive step towards improving security and oil production in the Niger Delta.

“Our meeting with the Minister of Defence on oil and gas-related matters was very encouraging, and it was a step in the right direction,” Dokubo said.

He expressed confidence that the Federal Government’s new approach would deliver lasting results if sustained.

“If they keep following this new direction, a lot is going to happen. It’s not rocket science. It’s something that has to do with commitment,” he said.

Dokubo also urged operators in the oil industry to adopt best practices, warning that disruptions in oil production have far-reaching consequences for government revenue and national development.

“We’re losing a lot of resources, and it affects all Nigerians. When there is one infraction, it has a trigger effect. There will not be enough money to carry out the projects of whichever government is involved. This is the best that I have seen so far, and I thank God the Minister is driving this process,” he added.

Nigeria currently produces about 1.5 million barrels of crude oil per day.

With improved security identified as critical to sustaining production, the Federal Government says it is targeting 2.5 million barrels per day through stronger collaboration among security agencies, oil companies, regulators and host communities. (Channels)

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