By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A private oil pipeline surveillance firm engaged by the Nigerian government has assured that it will create the right atmosphere for the country’s daily crude oil production capacity to increase from 1.8 million barrels per day (mbpd) to 2 million before the end of next month.
State-owned oil firm, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) had recently announced that Nigeria’s crude oil production had risen to 1.8mbpd, while gas production reached 7.4 billion standard cubic feet per day.
Tantita Security Services is believed to have recently intensify efforts combat crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta.
Operatives of the private security firm have engaged in aggressive chase after oil thieves, seizing equipment used in illicit trade, and driving perpetrators out of the Niger Delta’s coastal regions.
Sustained pressure and operations by Tantita’s personnel have dislodged economic saboteurs in the African nation’s oil sector, leading them to abandon their equipment.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Dr Paul Bebenimibo, founder of Tantita, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo on Saturday attributed the current 1.8mbpd production capacity to the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) security forces, and Tantita Security Services.
Reaching this production level would significantly boost government revenue and aid in running the country more effectively, Tompolo stated.
“Tantita is committed to achieving 2mbpd by December, as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This milestone was achieved in collaboration with the NNPCL, security forces, and Tantita, which has been at the forefront of oil pipeline protection in the Niger Delta.
“We are determined to hit the 2mbpd target before the year ends. All necessary machinery has been put in place to ensure this objective is met. Our efforts will continue to focus on galvanising the Nigerian economy and halting oil theft”, the statement reads in part.
Tompolo assured that advanced technologies are being deployed to monitor oil facilities and prevent disruptions or theft of Nigeria’s resources, affirming Tantita’s dedication to safeguarding oil pipelines and achieving even greater production levels.
Oil theft costs Nigeria many millions of dollars annually. According to Senate estimates, $23 million was lost daily in 2022, and $1.43 billion was lost in March 2023 alone.
