The Nigerian Navy has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with relevant agencies to boost the country’s crude oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2027, as part of efforts to combat oil theft and enhance maritime security in the Niger Delta.
Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Central Naval Command, made the pledge during a courtesy visit by members of the United Correspondents Chapel (UCC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council, to the command’s headquarters in Yenagoa.
Ibrahim highlighted ongoing partnerships with agencies such as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to achieve the ambitious target.
He emphasized the role of the recently launched Operation Delta Sentinel in curbing oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other forms of economic sabotage while promoting lawful resource exploitation.
“The Navy is leveraging advanced technology, including unmanned aerial vehicles, to detect and respond swiftly to illegal activities,” Ibrahim said.
He called for a “whole of society approach,” urging the media to play a key role in educating the public about the economic dangers of oil theft and the benefits of secure, legitimate oil production.
The FOC commended the UCC for its balanced and professional reporting, pledging the Navy’s continued support for media efforts to foster peace and development in the region.
Earlier, UCC Chairman Mr. Ekaunkumo Amgbare described the relationship between the chapel and the Central Naval Command as cordial and productive.
He stressed that a crime-free maritime environment is vital for progress in Bayelsa State and Nigeria as a whole.
Amgbare congratulated Rear Admiral Ibrahim on his appointment and praised his proactive leadership in his first few months in office.
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He reaffirmed the UCC’s dedication to fair, accurate, and professional journalism, including amplifying the Navy’s anti-piracy and anti-oil theft initiatives.
In a related development, the flag officer commanding central Naval command, Rear Admiral Ibrahim performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new Senior and Junior Ratings Mess.
The project, expected to be completed within 90 days, aims to improve the welfare, morale, and productivity of naval personnel by providing a dedicated space for relaxation and social interaction.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ibrahim described the facility as essential for personnel well-being after demanding operations.
He charged the project officer to maintain high standards and ensure timely delivery, while commending Commander Nigerian Naval Ship Soroh, Commodore O. A. Akinbami, for initiating the initiative.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commander Nigerian Naval Ship Soroh, Commodore O.A Akinbami noted that the mess aligns with the command’s philosophy of prioritizing personnel welfare.
He added that ongoing renovations to the command’s sporting facility are also nearing completion, expected within 10 days.
These developments underscore the Central Naval Command’s dual focus on operational effectiveness in securing Nigeria’s oil assets and investing in the welfare of its personnel under Rear Admiral Ibrahim’s leadership.
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