The CEO of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC), Mr. Mele Kyari, has urged the military to continue their efforts in combating crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
He expressed satisfaction that the ongoing crackdown on these illegal activities has led to an increase in the nation’s crude oil production.
During a meeting at the NNPC Towers in Abuja on Tuesday, Kyari appealed for sustained security measures, emphasizing the recent peak in production that has not been witnessed in the past three years.
He credited the armed forces and security agencies for their continuous protection of critical assets, specifically the pipeline infrastructure in designated areas where collaborative efforts have resulted in tangible outcomes.
General Musa and his team were commended by Kyari for their dedicated efforts in safeguarding the country’s vital hydrocarbon resources, particularly in the Niger Delta region, which is significant not only for Nigeria but also for the global energy sector.
Kyari expressed confidence in the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and his team to fulfill the Presidential directive to address security challenges that impact the nation’s crude oil production.
In response, General Musa outlined the objectives of the Monitoring Team tasked with engaging with the NNPC and other stakeholders in oil-producing regions to ensure the protection of critical infrastructure.
The CDS affirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining the crackdown and enhancing troop capabilities to improve performance and productivity levels.
Emphasizing the importance of increasing production for economic prosperity, General Musa reassured cooperation with intelligence agencies, private security firms, state governments, and local communities to enhance overall performance.