Niger Delta: Defence Minister reveals what Tinubu wants from oil communities

The Federal Government has said it is working to strengthen security in the Niger Delta as part of efforts to raise Nigeria’s crude oil production.

Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, said this after a closed-door meeting with key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector at the 6 Division Headquarters, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt Barracks, Rivers State.

Musa said the meeting was held at the directive of President Bola Tinubu to review the security situation in the Niger Delta and identify ways to boost oil production.

According to him, piracy, armed robbery and other security threats in the region have reduced significantly.

“It’s been good. It could be better, but the members of the Armed Forces are working tirelessly to ensure that the area is secured,” he said.

“Issues of piracy, armed robbery and all these have really gone down.

“Production has improved. We are far above our oil contract production, and we are aiming very, very high,” the minister added.

Musa said oil host communities were invited to the meeting so that the government could hear directly from them and understand the challenges affecting their areas.

He said Tinubu was determined to ensure that oil-producing communities are secured, happy and properly carried along in the government’s plans.

“We even invited the communities so that we can hear from their own aspect what the challenges are.

“The President is really determined to ensure that the oil-producing areas are well secured and the oil communities are happy and well taken care of, so that we can have more production,” Musa said.

The minister said one of the key issues discussed at the meeting was the need to rebuild trust between host communities and oil operators.

He said the Armed Forces would continue to improve civil-military relations and deepen engagement with stakeholders in the region.

Musa also urged Nigerians to support security agencies with credible information in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other crimes.

“This is a Nigerian challenge. Terrorism is now a worldwide affair and we need everybody to be on board.

“The terrorists and bandits live within the communities. If the people don’t provide information and continue to support them with logistics, it creates this atmosphere of insecurity,” he said.

The minister expressed confidence that improved cooperation between citizens and security agencies would help address insecurity across the country.

“Working together with the security forces, we’ll achieve — and we’re already achieving — so much,” he added.

The meeting was attended by senior security officers, regulators, international oil companies, indigenous oil firms, representatives of oil host communities and other stakeholders.

Also present was Asari Dokubo, the Paramount Ruler of Elem Kalabari, who described the meeting as a positive step towards improving security and oil production in the Niger Delta.

“Our meeting with the Minister of Defence on oil and gas-related matters was very encouraging, and it was a step in the right direction,” Dokubo said.

He said the Federal Government’s new approach would produce results if sustained.

“If they keep following this new direction, a lot is going to happen. It’s not rocket science. It’s something that has to do with commitment,” he said.

Dokubo also urged oil operators to adopt best practices, warning that disruptions in oil production affect government revenue and national development.

“We’re losing a lot of resources, and it affects all Nigerians. When there is one infraction, it has a trigger effect. There will not be enough money to carry out the projects of whichever government is involved.

“This is the best that I have seen so far, and I thank God the Minister is driving this process,” he said.

Nigeria currently produces about 1.5 million barrels of crude oil per day.

The Federal Government is targeting 2.5 million barrels per day through improved security and stronger collaboration among security agencies, oil companies, regulators and host communities.