Nigeria Aims To Produce 1.9 Million Barrels Of Crude Oil Daily

Nigeria's Defence Minister Bello Matawalle has said that the federal government is aiming to produce 1.9 million barrels of crude oil on a daily basis before the year ends. He also added the government has intensified its fight against oil thefts.

Matawalle pointed out on Sunday that oil thefts in the Niger Delta region have caused production to drop to about one million barrels per day, Punch reported.

The actions taken by the federal government and military have helped the production stand at 1.7 million barrels per day currently, he claimed.

"We are hoping that at the end of this year, we will reach about 1.9 million barrels per day," Matawalle added.

The defense minister revealed the naval headquarters has intensified surveillance in the maritime areas, as most oil thieves conduct operations through sea routes.

"We are taking serious actions. Operations have been conducted in that area. Most of the illegal panels were destroyed, most of the people were arrested and, with the level we are today, we are okay," he explained.

The minister noted the nation's military is now equipped with modern weapons to fight all kinds of crimes, including oil thefts and banditry.

"I just returned from a trip to Turkey and you need to see the attack helicopters that we acquired," the defense minister said. "In fact, some of them are in Lagos now and it's very special. And, as I said, this is not just for the Army alone, the Navy has its own, as well as the Air Force."

Nigeria acquired the first batch of two TAI T-129 ATAK attack helicopters from Turkey earlier this month.

"We have no reason to complain and to fail Nigerians because, all we need, he has already provided for us," Matawalle said. "We have keyed into modern technology. We are ready for the challenges confronting us. Nigerians should be very proud of this government."

"We will be thrilled to work for the country. We want everyone to assess our performance steadily and come back here and thank the President, the Ministry of Defence, and our military for a job well done," he added.