Nigeria Navy Has Improved Security On WaterWays As Crude Oil Production Increases By Over 5 per cent, Says FOC
By Ndifereke BASSEY
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande, has disclosed that the Nigerian Navy's Operation Delta Sanity has improved Nigeria's crude oil production capacity by 5.85 per cent.
Operation Delta Sanity was launched on January 6 by Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff to curb crude oil theft and economic sabotage operations in the Niger Delta.
Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande
The operation involved several vessels and naval personnel deployed on aggressive surveillance and patrols of the waterways.
Speaking on some of the achievements of the operation in Calabar recently, Akinwande said they now had an increased sea and riverine patrol to about 1,752 hours across the bases by boats and air assets respectively.
According to him, this has resulted in the arrest of several suspects, destruction of several wooden boats and recovery of illegal bunkering equipment which could be enumerated better by the base commanders.
The FOC said the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has attested to the fact that there has been an increase in crude oil production from 1.55 million barrel per day to 1.64 million barrel per day.
"The Nigerian Navy has deactivated about 60 illegal refineries, destroyed about 293,900 litres of illegally refined diesel and recovered about 412,000 litres of stolen crude oil. He said:
"There has been a boost in fishing activities by both artisanal and trawler operators owing to increased Naval presence at sea.
"Also, Nigerian Navy's anti-smuggling efforts has been boosted leading to the arrest and impoundment of 78 bags of 50 kilograms of smuggled parboiled rice as well as petroleum products," he said.
Speaking further, Akinwande noted that the command has continued to pursue a robust collaborative engagement with coastal communities through regular meeting to address maritime related threats.
He added that some of such meetings include a tripartite meeting between the Nigerian Navy, host communities and International Oil Companies (IOCs) and regular meetings with the Fishermen Union in Ibaka to enhance mutual trust.
Similarly, Commodore Rotimi Oderemi, Commander Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, which is an operational base said in line with Operation Delta Sanity, said they have increased patrols, deployment and share credible intelligence with sister agencies for better security.
Oderemi, however, added that the Nigerian Navy needs more logistics support and platforms, preferably those with flat bottom to enable it patrol the nation's large coastline and penetrate the creeks and back waters.
