Defence Minister Seeks Stronger Security Partnership to Boost Oil Production
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has called for stronger collaboration between security agencies and stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to enhance crude oil production, protect critical national assets and drive economic growth.
The minister made the call during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held on Monday at the Headquarters of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The meeting focused on strategies to improve Nigeria’s oil production capacity, strengthen security around oil infrastructure and foster closer cooperation between the military, regulatory agencies and industry operators.
Speaking at the meeting, Gen. Musa described the oil and gas sector as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, stressing that achieving the Federal Government’s crude oil production targets would require sustained synergy among the Armed Forces, other security agencies, regulatory institutions and industry players.
He urged stakeholders to strengthen information sharing, build mutual trust and demonstrate collective commitment towards protecting critical oil infrastructure and eliminating crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage.
Also speaking, the Commander of the Joint Task Force (South-South), Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS), Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, reaffirmed the commitment of the task force to sustaining operations against crude oil thieves and other criminal elements operating in the Niger Delta.
Read Also:
According to him, troops under Operation DELTA SAFE will continue to conduct their operations professionally and in strict compliance with the Rules of Engagement while intensifying efforts to secure the nation’s economic assets.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, and Land Component Commander, Operation DELTA SAFE, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, also assured oil industry stakeholders of the military’s commitment to creating a secure environment for legitimate exploration and production activities.
He urged operators to faithfully implement the provisions of their Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with host communities, noting that compliance would strengthen trust, promote peaceful coexistence and enhance cooperation among all stakeholders.
Representatives of oil and gas companies used the meeting to highlight operational challenges affecting production and sought stronger collaboration with security agencies to improve operational efficiency and safeguard critical infrastructure.
They expressed optimism that the renewed partnership would create a more conducive environment for increased investment and sustainable oil production across the Niger Delta.
The meeting ended with participants resolving to deepen collaboration through regular consultations, intelligence sharing and coordinated security measures aimed at protecting Nigeria’s oil and gas facilities.
They expressed confidence that stronger cooperation between the defence establishment and industry operators would boost crude oil production, improve government revenue and contribute to Nigeria’s overall economic stability.
By PRNigeria
