…Wants Niger Delta Remain Beacon Of Resilience, Peace
By Eric Moore
CHIEF of Defence Staff (CDS), General C.G. Musa, has charged stakeholders in the Oil and Gas industry that they must achieve the directive of President Bola Tinubu on the 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) oil production in Niger Delta
General Musa gave the charge at a meeting with stakeholders in the Oil and Gas Industry held at the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday.
Addressing representatives of multinational oil companies and notable indigenous firms, as well as top military personnel, the CDS stated that all hands must be on deck to increase the revenue of the country.
He said the Oil and Gas Stakeholders’ Meeting was intended to serve as a crucial platform for fostering dialogue
and enhancing synergy between all stakeholders in the oil and gas industry.
The CDS emphasized that oil production is critical for socio-economic development of the country, adding that in the past numerous challenges hampered production output.
General Musa said: “The Defence Headquarters deemed it necessary to convene this forum in recognition of the intricate dynamics at play and the importance of effective stakeholder engagement to the sustenance of oil and gas operations in the Country. Thus, this meeting is aimed at addressing the challenges affecting optimized oil production in the Country.
“As you are aware, oil production is critical for socio-economic development to thrive in the Country. In the past, numerous factors significantly diminished our production output which had dire implications on our economy.
“However, recently, significant strides have been made towards ramping up our oil production as evident in our current output of over 1.8m bpd. This achievement is a testament to the unwavering commitment of all stakeholders here and I commend you all.
“Notwithstanding the notable achievements, much more collective effort is still required to achieve the overall intent of meeting Mr President’s directives of a production output of over 2.2 million bpd.
“As we therefore convene, the presence of distinguished representatives from all the stakeholders underscores the
importance you ascribe to a unified approach to mitigating the
challenges preventing improved oil production in the country.”
He, however, urged the stakeholders to ensure Niger Delta remains a beacon of resilience, opportunities and peace for the people.
“I, therefore, implore you all to be honest and objective outlining the challenges, as your active participation in this forum will not only strengthen our collective resolve but also ensure that our strategies are inclusive, comprehensive, and realistic.
” I believe that this forum will provide an invaluable opportunity for us to reflect on lessons learned, assess ongoing initiatives and craft pragmatic pathways to success.
“Together, we can attain our shared goal of 2.2 million bpd production while ensuring that the Niger Delta region remains a beacon of resilience, opportunity, and peace for its people.”
Meanwhile, the CDS has commended President Bola Tinubu for his sterling leadership qualities and pursuits to national security.
General Musa also lauded state governments and military commanders for their commitments to making the Niger Delta region peaceful.