The Nigerian Navy’s relentless operations have successfully restored near normalcy to the nation’s crude oil production, marking a significant victory against oil theft and pipeline vandalism. This achievement has propelled Nigeria to the forefront as the top crude oil producing nation in Africa, according to the outgoing Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Saheed Akinwande.
Rear Adm. Akinwande, during his farewell parade in Calabar on Friday, highlighted the remarkable impact of the Navy’s efforts in curbing illegal activities within its area of coverage, which spans across 13 states. He emphasized that the Eastern Naval Command has played a crucial role in significantly reducing crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other forms of criminality that had previously plagued the nation’s oil sector.
“Aside from being the FOC eastern naval command, I was privileged to be assigned as the commander task group operation delta sanity 2 by the Chief of Naval Staff,” Akinwande stated, underscoring the importance of the Navy’s dedicated task force in addressing the challenges in the Niger Delta region.
“The operation was flagged off on 30th December 2024 with a strategic objective to curtail the menace of crude oil thieves, vandals, and other economic saboteurs,” he explained, highlighting the proactive measures taken to safeguard the nation’s oil infrastructure and revenue.
Akinwande expressed his satisfaction in sharing the positive outcomes of Operation Delta Sanity 2, emphasizing its notable achievements in the nation’s maritime sector. He attributed the success to the dedication and contributions of the staff under his command, as well as the conducive environment fostered by the Chief of Naval Staff.
According to Akinwande, the operation has contributed significantly to boosting terminal factor and increasing production output. “As of June this year, OPEC reported that Nigeria was the highest crude oil producing nation in Africa and crude oil production has increased to about 1.6 million barrels per day,” he stated proudly.
This surge in crude oil production not only strengthens Nigeria’s position in the global oil market but also provides a much-needed boost to the nation’s economy. The Nigerian Navy’s success in combating oil theft and pipeline vandalism is a testament to its commitment to protecting the nation’s resources and ensuring economic stability. The outgoing FOC’s remarks underscore the importance of continued vigilance and sustained efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s oil infrastructure and maintain its status as a leading crude oil producer in Africa.
