…As Defence Minister Says Constant Security Patrol Has Reduced Oil Theft

Minister of State for Defense, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has said that constant security patrol on the nation’s waterways has drastically reduced oil theft.
The minister said this in Calabar, Cross River State, during an official tour of navy formations under the Eastern Naval Command.
He visited the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, Navy Nursery and Primary School, Navy Reference Hospital, Navy barracks and Navy Secondary School.

Minister of State for Defense, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has said that constant security patrol on the nation’s waterways has drastically reduced oil theft.
The minister said this in Calabar, Cross River State, during an official tour of navy formations under the Eastern Naval Command.
He visited the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, Navy Nursery and Primary School, Navy Reference Hospital, Navy barracks and Navy Secondary School.
According to him, oil theft and sea piracy has reduced to the barest minimum, adding that it was a result of constant security patrol along the waterways.
“The ENC has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s Navy effort in reducing crude oil theft in the country; this has been achieved by the demonstration of its officers and men.
“My first point of call is the ENC, this is so because the Command is so strategic and our vital economy assets are located in this command.
“We are also here to see the operational aspect of it, the challenges that goes with the operation and the successes recorded,” he said.
Obanikoro said that the Nigerian Navy had grown into a force to reckon with, hence, there was a need to sustain the Federal Government’s mission of zero tolerance of crude oil theft.
While assuring the Navy of adequate investment and motivation to enhance their operational capabilities, the minister also said as a leading economy in African, Nigeria must do her best to ensure the waterways were safe from pirates.
Also speaking during the visit, Flag Officer Commanding, ENC, Read Admiral Obiora Medani, said that sea piracy and oil theft has reduced to the barest minimum in the country.
According to Medani, crude oil theft has reduced from 5.2million barrel per month to 1.25million.
He described those still involved in crude oil theft as “miscreant element,” adding that some of them do not want to take full advantage of the amnesty programme of the federal government.
Medani commended the officers and men of the ENC for their hard work and zeal towards the reduction of sea piracy and oil theft in the country.