The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has stated that the Federal Government has intensified it fight against oil theft in the country.
Matawalle, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, stated that the Federal Government has achieved a lot in the fight against oil theft in the Niger Delta area.
He also mentioned the country’s optimism about achieving a daily crude oil production of 1.9 million barrels by year-end.
“Before now, due to oil theft activities in the Niger Delta region, oil production dropped to about one million barrels per day.
“But with the Federal Government’s actions and the onslaught of the combined military against oil thieves, the production stands at 1.7 million barrels per day currently.
“We are hoping that at the end of this year, we will reach about 1.9 million barrels per day,” he said
He disclosed that the Naval headquarters had implemented measures to monitor and comprehend activities in both the waterway and all maritime zones.
“We are taking serious actions. Operations have been conducted in that area. Most of the illegal panels were destroyed, most of the people were arrested and, with the level we are today, we are okay,” Matawalle said.
The defense minister highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has made substantial investments in modern weaponry and effectively equipped the military to combat various crimes, such as banditry and oil theft.
“I just returned from a trip to Turkey and you need to see the attack helicopters that we acquired.
“In fact, some of them are in Lagos now and it’s very special. And, as I said, this is not just for the Army alone, the Navy has its own, as well as the Air Force.
“So, with the coming of this government, the President has tried a lot by giving us all we need to work. So, we have no reason to complain and to fail Nigerians because, all we need, he has already provided for us.
“We have keyed into modern technology. We are ready for the challenges confronting us. Nigerians should be very proud of this government.
“We will be thrilled to work for the country. We want everyone to assess our performance steadily and come back here and thank the President, the Ministry of Defence, and our military for a job well done,” he said.
