Tinubu wants stronger security partnership to raise oil production – Defence Minister

By Adebayo Obajemu

The Federal Government has intensified moves to strengthen security across the Niger Delta as part of its strategy to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day, according to the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa.

Musa made this known after a closed-door meeting with key stakeholders in the oil and gas industry at the 6 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He said the meeting, convened at the directive of President Bola Tinubu, reviewed the security situation in the Niger Delta and explored practical measures to boost crude oil production.

According to the minister, security conditions in the region have improved considerably, with incidents of piracy, armed robbery and other criminal activities declining in recent months.Cooking gas prices

“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.Oil & Gas

“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,” Musa said.

He explained that representatives of oil-producing communities were invited to participate in the discussions to enable the Federal Government understand their concerns directly and strengthen collaboration between host communities, security agencies and oil operators.Oil market analysis

“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,” he added.

Musa said rebuilding trust between host communities and oil companies remains central to the government’s strategy, noting that the Armed Forces would continue to strengthen civil-military relations and deepen engagement with stakeholders across the region.

The defence minister also appealed to Nigerians to provide timely intelligence to security agencies in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality.

“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 expressed confidence that stronger cooperation between citizens and security agencies would further improve the country’s security situation.

> “Working together with the security forces, we’ll achieve and we’re already achieving so much.”

The meeting was attended by senior military officers, regulators, international and indigenous oil companies, as well as representatives of oil-producing communities. Also present was Asari Dokubo, who described the engagement as a significant step towards improving security and increasing oil production in the Niger Delta.Oil market analysis

> “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 added that sustained commitment by the Federal Government would deliver meaningful results.

“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.”

Dokubo also urged oil companies to adopt global best practices, warning that disruptions to crude oil production reduce government revenue and undermine national development.