Mariam Sanni
The Commander of Operation Delta Safe , OPDS Rear Admiral John Okeke has disclosed that the crude oil theft and other criminal activities has reduce to about 85% within the Fourth Quarter , 2024.
The commander made this known while briefing pressmen during a media tour to the OPDS headquarters in bayelsa.
According to him, sequel to the abysmal reduction in crude oil production output in the Second Quarter of this year, the President and C-in-C gave a matching order to the CDS to end crude oil theft and scale up production to 2.2m bpd.
He explained that the OPDS launched a 90 days operation which was aimed at restoring oil and gas production to full capacity in the South South and South East geo-political zones.
Rear Admiral Okeke added that the operation was conducted in 2 phases with each Phase lasting for 45 days.
While highlighting major achievements of the troops in 2024 , he mentioned sustenance of Terminal Factors of about 95 percent on the Trans-Niger, Trans-Ramos and Trans-Escravos Pipelines in the last 3 months and Key Performance Indicator of 89, 96 and 97 percentage in the Eastern, Western and Central Corridors respectively .
The commanders stated that the crude oil output
Up-scaled from 1.2 million bpd in Jun 24 to 1.83 million bpd as at 11 Dec 24 towards attaining the 2.2 million bpd benchmark at the end of the year.
He said part of the achievements are picketing of facilities of suspected end-users of stolen crude and IR products (Asphalt plants, Bitumen companies and Hotels).
Also, bursting of 4-man syndicate that specializes in the production of fake documents since 2011 for movement of stolen crude oil and IR products (Syndicate airlifted to DIA).
“Initiating re-establishment of OPDS road blocks along East-West Road, PH-Aba Road, Etche – Owerrinta Road, Elele-Owerri Road and Bori-Abak Road.
“Other achievements include: Deactivation of about 1,546 IRS (each with different camps), Destruction of over 1,428 storage facilities and 1,121 large wooden boats, arrest and appropriate handling of: Over 300 vehicles (tankers, trucks, cars and tricycles) conveying crude oil and IR products.About 15,634,207 litres of stolen crude oil, About 4,004,968 litres of Illegal Refined AGO.
“Enhanced community engagement and mediation between IOCs and host communities resolving about 98 CSR related disputes involving CHEVRON, SEEPCO, SPDC, AITEO, NECONDE, TOTAL-ENERGIES and OANDO with their host communities.
Enhanced synergy between GSAs, PSCs, IOCs and related stakeholders,” he noted.
The OPDS commander has reassured to protect oil and gas infrastructure and deter militancy, sea robbery, crude oil theft and other forms of criminality within the JOA that could impact negatively on economic activities in the Niger Delta.
