Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musliu Obanikoro, on Tuesday verbalized that constant security patrol on the nation’s waterways had drastically reduced oil larceny.
The minister verbalized this in Calabar, Cross River State, during an official tour of naval formations under the Eastern Naval Command.
He visited the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, Navy Nursery and Primary School, Navy Reference Hospital, Navy Barracks and Navy Secondary School.
According to him, oil larceny and sea piracy have reduced to the barest minimum, integrating that the reductions are as a result of constant security patrol along the waterways.
“The ENC has contributed significantly to the Nigerian Navy’s efforts in reducing crude oil larceny in the country; this has been achieved by the demonstration of its officers and men.
“My first point of call is the ENC. This is so because the command is so strategic and our vital economy assets are located in this command.
“We are additionally here to optically discern the operational aspect of it; the challenges that goes with the operation and the successes recorded,” he verbally expressed.
Obanikoro verbalized that the Nigerian Navy has grown into a force to be reckoned with. Hence, there was a desideratum to sustain the Federal Government’s mission of zero tolerance for crude oil larceny.
While assuring the Navy of adequate investment and motivation to enhance their operational capabilities, the minister additionally verbalized as a leading economy in African, Nigeria must do its best to ascertain the waterways were safe from pirates.
Withal verbalizing during the visit, Flag Officer Commanding, ENC, Rear Admiral Obiora Medani, verbally expressed that sea piracy and oil larceny had been reduced to the barest minimum in the country.
According to Medani, crude oil larceny has reduced from 5.2 million barrel per month to 1.25 million.
He described those still involved in crude oil larceny as `miscreant element’, integrating that some of them did not optate to thoroughly capitalize on the amnesty programme of the Federal Government.
Medani commended the officers and men of the ENC for their strenuous exertion and zeal towards the reduction of sea piracy and oil larceny in the country.
