Ensure Oil Theft, Incidental Activities Are Eradicated To Enhance Crude Oil Production – Defence Minister Charges Troops
By Lynn Adda
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has charged troops of Headquarters Joint Task Force South South Operation Delta Safe to ensure that crude oil theft and other incidental activities are eliminated completely to enhance the country’s capacity in crude oil production.
The Minister’s message which is contained in a Press Release signed by his Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Mati Ali observed that crude oil Production has improved from about 1.5 million to about 1.7 barrels per day.
Speaking during his maiden visit to the Headquarters in Bayelsa State, the Minister commended the troops for demobilizing 1,129 illegal refineries from February 2024 till date and praised their sustained fight against oil theft and other criminalities.
“Crude oil production has risen to about 1.7 million barrels per day , and I’m confident it will reach about 2m Bpd by December 2024 and to about 2.5 million barrels by middle of next year” he said.
The Minister emphasized the importance of protecting critical national infrastructure and the pipelines which transports barrels of crude oil daily.
He praised the troops’ renewed determination and commitment to fighting economic sabotage, oil theft, and illegal refineries.
Rear Admiral JU Okeke, Commandant of Headquarters Joint Task Force South South Operation Delta Safe, had reported an 85% drop in crude oil theft and illegal refineries activities in Q2 and Q3 2024, resulting in increased crude oil output from about 1.5 million bpd in June to about 1.7 million bpd in September.
Hon Mohammed Abubakar expressed happiness with the operations of the troops so far, assuring them that
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is proud of the troops’ efforts despite challenging terrain.
He thanked them for their courage , dedication and urged them to do more until the nation gets the desired results.
