By: Felix Ikpotor
The Minister of Defence, Dr. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has vowed to curb illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region.
The Minister stated this when he visited troops of the Nigerian Army, 6 Division, posted to the creeks in the Niger Delta to fight illegal oil bunkering and vandalism in the region.
Abubakar, who addressed troops at the creeks in Asari-Toru Local Government Area, during a working visit to the state, vowed to end the menace of illegal oil bunkering, oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the region in no distant time.
While hailing the soldiers for their gallantry in the operations within the region, despite the difficulty of the terrain, Abubakar said his visit was to familiarise with the troops and also evaluate their challenges.
“I have visited here for the first time to see the nature of the illegal refineries and what constitute the challenges in trying to dismantle them across the Niger Delta, and I have seen how our gallant officers are working very hard despite the tough terrain to get to those illegal refineries and dismantle them.
“From what I learnt, this is number 67th in this battalion 103 and the other formations are their best also, so it is continuous process and they have assured me that they will end this illegal refineries operation in no distant future.
“I have seen the challenge and what they are facing and I thank them most sincerely for the job.”
The Defence Minister however, called on residents of the state to collaborate with the army in dislodging the menace of oil theft and illegal oil bunkering,
He added that the efforts of the troops would go a long way in boosting the country’s crude oil daily production.
“They (members of the community) are to continue to give us Intelligence that will help us stop this, it is very very important for us to come back to producing 2.3 million to 2.5 million barrels a day, for the economic development and prosperity of this nation.
“It is important that we go back to the days of normal production and that will help in a big way to improve the prosperity of this nation and the lives of our people.”
