FG has made significant progress in combating oil theft- Mattawale
Dr. Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, claims that the Federal Government has made significant progress in combating oil theft.
Matawalle told journalists in Abuja that the determination to halt oil theft in the Niger Delta region has resulted in many practical benefits.
He also stated that the country hoped to achieve 1.9 million barrels of crude oil per day by the end of the year.
“Before today, oil production had decreased to around one million barrels per day due to oil theft activities in the Niger Delta region.”
“However, thanks to the Federal Government’s initiatives and the joint military’s onslaught against oil thieves, production is currently at 1.7 million barrels per day.”
“We hope to reach roughly 1.9 million barrels per day by the end of this year,” he said.
He added that procedures had been put in place at the Naval Headquarters to detect and know what is going on in the stream and throughout the maritime zones.
“We are taking firm action.” There have been operations in that area. “The majority of the unlawful panels were destroyed, the majority of the people were detained, and we are fine at this point,” Matawalle added.
The minister stated that the ministry was collaborating with various security authorities.
“We collaborate by exchanging intelligence. “We will continue to collaborate,” he stated.
He also stated that the lack of synchronisation among security services had been addressed and that their relationship had improved.
“As of now, I can tell you that we have no problems with synergy.” “They’re all collaborating,” he remarked.
The minister stated that action had been taken against the sponsors and financiers of Boko Haram terrorists who had been apprehended or convicted.
“Be confident that action has been taken, and we have several successes from the security agencies.”
“Many people have been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing; additional action will be taken once the inquiry is done,” he stated.