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Former Delta Deputy Governor urges Niger Delta stakeholders to safeguard oil infrastructure.
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Commends role of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited in combating crude oil theft.
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Says improved security has boosted oil production in Nigeria.
The immediate past Deputy Governor of Delta State, Kingsley B. Otuaro, has called for stronger unity among stakeholders in the Niger Delta to safeguard the country’s strategic oil infrastructure.
Otuaro made the call in a statement on the state of the nation’s oil sector, stressing that crude oil remains the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and a major source of revenue used to fund infrastructure development, education, healthcare and other public services.
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According to him, protecting the facilities that support oil production should be regarded as a collective responsibility involving government, host communities and other stakeholders.
The former deputy governor commended the Federal Government for supporting organisations working to secure oil infrastructure in the Niger Delta, particularly acknowledging the role of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited in strengthening surveillance and protection of critical national assets.
He recalled that Nigeria previously faced severe challenges due to crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and organised economic sabotage, which significantly reduced oil production.
At one point in 2022, he noted, the nation’s output dropped to nearly one million barrels per day, far below its production capacity and the quota allocated by Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
The situation, he said, resulted in billions of dollars in lost national revenue annually due to illegal bunkering and repeated pipeline breaches.
However, Otuaro said strengthened surveillance operations and the involvement of local expertise in securing pipelines across creeks and waterways in the Niger Delta have contributed to a steady recovery in production.
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According to him, Nigeria’s oil output has improved to over 1.6 million barrels per day, restoring confidence in the country’s ability to protect its most important economic assets.
“These gains are not just statistics. When crude oil theft is reduced and pipelines are secured, the entire country benefits through improved revenue for development,” he said.
Otuaro further explained that securing pipelines that run through mangrove forests, deep creeks and remote communities requires strong collaboration with host communities and the integration of indigenous knowledge into national security strategies.
While acknowledging progress made so far, he expressed concern about what he described as attempts by some individuals and groups to undermine ongoing efforts to secure oil infrastructure in the region.
According to him, while constructive criticism is necessary in a democracy, campaigns driven by misinformation, rivalry or narrow interests could harm the region’s long-term development.
Otuaro therefore urged community leaders, youth groups, traditional institutions and civil society organisations across the Niger Delta to strengthen cooperation in protecting the region’s oil facilities.
“When pipelines are vandalised, it is our rivers and lands that suffer pollution. When crude oil is stolen, the region loses valuable development opportunities,” he said.
He stressed that safeguarding oil assets is not only an economic necessity but also a patriotic duty, urging stakeholders to unite in protecting the resources that sustain the Nigerian economy.
