The Defence Headquarters on Thursday lamented that its demand for the metering of crude oil pipelines had yet to be carried out.

The DHQ noted that the reason for pushing for this was to accurately know the quantity of crude oil the country produces daily.

Addressing journalists at the bi-weekly briefing on military operations across the country, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen Buba Edward, who did not specify which agency was responsible for the failure to meter the pipelines, noted that the military, notwithstanding, had reorganised its operations, increased cooperation with relevant stakeholders, and improved its pipeline surveillance.

He said, ‘’It will be recalled that in rejigging our operations, we increased the surveillance over the pipeline infrastructures, we increased our cooperation with the stakeholders in the oil sector, we also pushed for the metering of the pipeline so that we’ll know accurately what the nation is churning or daily.

“While this has not yet been put in place, I can say that for the surveillance of the pipelines and other military actions required in the area, we are receiving an increase in our crude oil production as it has been noticed and reported.”

Buba stated that the actions of the military following the directives given to the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, by President Bola Tinubu, had led to the increase in the country’s crude oil production.

He said, “It will be recalled that not too long ago, the Chief of Defence Staff was given marching orders by Mr President to ensure that the nation’s crude oil production receives a spike so that we can meet our OPEC quota and the CDS followed up by saying that within the next two to three months (we should get result).

“Well, I’m pleased to inform you that already we have recorded a noticed increase, improvement in the nation’s crude oil production, and this is indicative of the fact that we are on the right track but we are not going to rest on our laurels, we are going to sustain the momentum until the nation’s crude oil OPEC quota is reached and exceeded.”

Reeling out troops’ operational success in the Niger Delta region, Buba said in one week, 23 suspected oil thieves were arrested, and N943,161,680.00 stolen products were recovered.

Buba said, “Troops arrested 23 perpetrators of oil theft and denied the oil thieves of the estimated sum of N943,161,680.00 only.

“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 15 dugout pits, 17 boats, 62 drums, one receiver and 27 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 32 cooking ovens, two outboard engines, two pumping machines, two vehicles, one tricycle, three motorcycles and 84 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 920,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 88,760 litres of illegally refined AGO and 7,500 litres of PMS.”

Buba also said during the week under review, troops neutralised 147 and arrested 381 suspects. (Text, excluding headline: The PUNCH)

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