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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) says it is planning to boost crude oil production to two million barrels per day by the end of the year.
The country's daily output rose from 1.27 million barrels in June to 1.6 million in July, according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
The NNPC Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, expressed confidence in meeting the target, emphasising the company's full commitment.
He urged security agencies to continue their efforts against oil theft and pipeline vandalism to help the company achieve its goal.
"The target is to increase oil production to two million barrels by the end of the year, and the Nigerian Navy's support has resulted in a reduction in oil theft and pipeline vandalism," Kyari said.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, stated that Nigeria's development had faced numerous complex security challenges, including violent agitations, oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and piracy/sea robbery, driven by the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, communal clashes, poverty, and unemployment.
Ogalla said the Navy was working to ensure its operations support operators in performing their duties and optimally producing, as providing security is a way to promote ease of doing business.
He stated: “The traditional methods of addressing these security challenges have not yielded the desired results. Hence, the meeting also aimed to address emerging security issues arising from the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act.
“The Federal Government’s drive to develop the nation’s blue economy requires the support of all stakeholders."
