AbuMr. Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Ltd., has strongly urged the military to continue and even strengthen their efforts against crude oil theft and damage to pipelines. He recognized that the ongoing military actions have greatly improved Nigeria’s oil production.
Kyari made this request during a visit from General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, and other senior military officers at the NNPC Towers in Abuja on Tuesday.
“I call for ongoing and enhanced security measures,” Kyari. “We have reached a new high in production, a level we haven’t seen in the past three years. This significant progress is directly due to the continuous work of the armed forces and other security agencies in protecting our important infrastructure, especially the pipelines in areas where we have worked closely with these agencies. The increase in production we are seeing now is proof of their hard work.”
Kyari praised General Musa and his team for their steadfast commitment to protecting Nigeria’s important oil assets, especially in the Niger Delta region, over the past few months. He highlighted that these achievements are crucial not only for Nigeria but also for the global energy sector.
He expressed confidence that the Chief of Defence Staff and his team would successfully meet the Presidential mandate to tackle the security issues affecting the nation’s oil production.
“The security efforts are being well-managed under your leadership. Your coordinated approach is setting the stage for better security measures, especially in the Niger Delta,” Kyari observed.
General Musa explained that the visit was meant to introduce a newly formed Monitoring Team to NNPC Ltd. This team will work with the company and other parties in oil-producing areas to protect Nigeria’s vital oil infrastructure.
The Chief of Defence Staff reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing security and the effectiveness of his troops, promising that the military would continue its fight against oil theft and regularly review and improve the troops’ capabilities to increase production.
General Musa stressed the importance of raising oil production for Nigeria’s economic well-being and pledged to work closely with intelligence agencies, private security firms, state governments, and local communities to achieve this goal.
“Working alone won’t give us the best results,” he said. “I assure you that we will collaborate with all necessary parties to meet our goals as directed by Mr. President.”
The meeting showcased a united effort to address the security issues facing Nigeria’s oil industry, with both NNPC Ltd and the military showing a shared commitment to protecting and advancing the country’s essential energy resources.
