Nigeria’s oil output hits 2.5 m bpd –Defence Spokesman

BRIG-GEN JOHN AGIM , LEFTACTING DIRECTOR DEFENSE INFORMATION ADDRESSING A NEWS  CONFERENCE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE JOINT TASK FORCE IN THE NIGER DELTA AT HEADQUARTERS OF THE JOINT TASK FORCE IN THE NIGER DELTA IN YENAGOA WHILE BRIG-GEN KEVIN ALIGBE, LAND COMPONENT COMMANDER OF THE JOINT FORCE CODE NAMED OPERATION DELTA SAFE LOOKS ON

Brig-Gen John Agim , Acting Director, Defence Information on Thursday said that oil production has risen to an average of 2.5 million barrels per day

The Defence Spokesman attributed the rise in oil output to the strategic approach of the joint military force deployed to the Niger Delta region.

Agim spoke at a news conference at the headquarters of the joint force christened Operation Delta Safe.

He noted that prior to the establishment of the outfit on June 24, 2016, oil production had dropped to 900,000 barrels daily.

He said that the joint force had pursued its mandate in line with the strategic directive of Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Gabriel Orolunshakin and made modest achievements in restoring peace to the hitherto restive region.

“Some of these achievements include enhanced safety f lives, rise in crude oil production, recovery of arms and ammunition , seizure and impoundment of stolen crude, destructon of illegal refineries and arrest of oil thieves.

“Others include successes achieved in prosecuting cases, profiling of suspects and persons of interest and conduct of in-theatre operations. The hitherto incessant attack on oil and gas infrastructure has abated.

“Attacks on gas pipelines further reduced the nation’s power generating capacity. As at when the force was actvated on June 24, 2018, oil output had dropped from 2.2 million barrels to 900,000 barrels per day.

“It is gratifying to note that as at date, the production levels are averaging 2.5 million per day while NNPC management recently affirmed that pipeline vandalism had dropped significantly,” Agim said.

He further said that the joint force had cleared the Niger delta region of identified militants camps whose activities have threatened national security while the threats have been effectively neutralised.

On recovery and mopping up of arms Agim said  from January 1, 2017 till date, the force recovered 1,389 different types of arms and 20,352 ammunitions from militants and other hostile elements.

The Spokesman said that within the period, 24 vessels used by  oil thieves were seized, 191 barges, 234 outboard engines and 476 passenger boats were impounded by troops of Operation Delta Safe.

Also 105 tanker trucks, 228 vehicles ,610 pumping machines, 76 generating sets, and other sundy items used by oil thieves and oerators of illegal refining sites were sezed.

Agim said the the joint force had raided and destroyed 1,437 illegal refinery sites,793 wooden cargo boats popularly called Cotonou boats, 3,872 metal tanks and 1,019 plastic tanks were destroyed during raids.

He applauded the support of the public towards achieving the feats and urged them to furnish the military with actionable intelligence to nip crime in the bud and make Niger delta region safe for legitimate socio economic activities.