The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Baru, on Thursday said the nation’s critical national assets in the oil and gas sector are under serious threat.

Speaking at a meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, in Abuja, he fingered activities of vandals in the Niger Delta region as a major factor responsible for low level of crude oil production in the country.

He also appealed for the assistance of the Chief of Defence Staff in protecting the nation’s oil and gas infrastructure.

The Chief of Defence Staff assured the NNPC officials of adequate protection of the nation’s oil and gas facilities.

Gen Olonisakin also advised the Corporation on the need to provide specialised platforms that will further assist security agencies in performing their duties.

Dr Baru noted that the NNPC used to produced 2.2 million barrels of crude oil per day, but that noted that it has, however, dropped to 1.5 million barrels per day due to the activities of vandals.

Statistics reeled out by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation revealed that the nation lost 643 million litres of petrol in 2015 due to over 1400 incidents recorded between January and now.

The corporation expressed fears that the nation’s budget plan may suffer if the situation is not arrested. (Channels TV)

•Photo shows NNPC GMD, Dr Maikanti Baru.