News
Nigeria Records Increased Oil Output …Minister Hails Post Amnesty Programme
Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, has said that the country’s oil production has increased due to the peace in the Niger Delta region.
Allison-Madueke said this on Tuesday in Lagos at a two-day technology conference and exhibition at Eko Expo Centre
The minister attributed the increase to the progressive impact of the post amnesty programme of the Federal Government.
She said that the country’s oil reserves as at January were about 37.2 billion barrels for oil and Tcf for gas.
The minister, who was represented by Mr Andrew Obaje, Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), said that the government anticipated tremendous increase in the near future.
Alison-Madueke said that she hoped that stakeholders at the conference would come out with a better way forward for the country’s oil and gas industry.
The minister, however, said that the country’s valuable resources had not been fully exploited in an efficient and economical manner due to the limited technological resources available in Nigeria.
“I am delighted to be here today to share with this body of professionals the current and future technology challenges in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.
“Current Nigeria’s deep offshore oil and gas resources are yet to be fully developed and exploited despite government efforts to attract international investors,’’ she said.
The minister said the production of deep offshore resources was underpinned by the availability of the state-of-the-art technology, which had posed a major challenge to the sector.
“Our vision for the oil and gas industry is to have a sustainable growth in a manner that is profitable, safe, efficient and environmentally friendly.
“The Federal Government focus is on critical short and medium term deliverables that will create the desired impact on the generality of Nigerians,’’ she added.
The minister said that Nigeria needed to invest heavily on deep offshore discovery, exploration and exploitation.
According to her, the deepwater field poses great challenges to operators because of the difficult terrain and the use of electronic instead of the traditional hydraulic-controlled system.
Mr Samuel Odey, the Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta, said that the first batch of the ex-militants would be trained in Calabar in various skills that would be of benefit to the region and Nigeria.
“This development is an indication of growth and total commitment from the government to ensure an effective post-amnesty programme in the region.
“Technology is the cornerstone of oil and gas industry in Nigeria and there is the need for all stakeholders to ensure the growth of the industry,’’ Odey said.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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