The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening security in the Niger Delta to boost crude oil production, with the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, saying piracy, armed robbery and other criminal activities in the region have significantly reduced.
Speaking after a closed-door meeting with key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector at the 6 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Musa said security agencies had made notable progress in safeguarding oil-producing communities.
“It has been good. It could be better, but members of the Armed Forces are working tirelessly to ensure the area is secured. Issues of piracy, armed robbery and related crimes have really gone down,” he said.
According to the minister, improved security has contributed to increased oil production, with Nigeria currently producing above its OPEC quota. He added that the Federal Government is targeting crude oil output of 2.5 million barrels per day.
Musa said host communities were invited to the meeting to ensure their concerns were reflected in government efforts to improve security and oil production.
“The President is determined to ensure that oil-producing communities are secure, well cared for and actively involved so we can achieve higher production,” he said.
He noted that strengthening trust between host communities and oil operators was one of the key issues discussed, adding that the Armed Forces would continue to deepen civil-military cooperation and stakeholder engagement.
The minister also urged Nigerians to support security agencies with credible intelligence, stressing that tackling terrorism and banditry requires collective effort.
The meeting, held at the directive of Bola Tinubu, brought together senior security officials, regulators, international and indigenous oil companies, and representatives of host communities to review security in the Niger Delta and develop strategies for increasing crude oil production.
Also speaking after the meeting, Asari Dokubo described the engagement as a step in the right direction, expressing confidence that the government’s renewed approach would improve security and enhance oil production if sustained.
Nigeria currently produces about 1.5 million barrels of crude oil per day, with the Federal Government aiming to raise output to 2.5 million barrels daily through stronger collaboration among security agencies, oil companies, regulators and host communities.
