Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Army has pledged to support the federal government, in achieving its targeted 1.78 million barrels per day crude oil production output, in the year 2024.
Recall that Nigeria’s crude oil production benchmark for 2024 is targeted at 1.78millionbpd, even as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, said the nation was capable of increasing oil production to 2millionbpd in 2024.
Speaking, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division Nigeria Army Port Harcourt, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, said the operational activities of the Army had led to a surge in oil production quota for a relatively consistent period.
Abdussalam who spoke on Monday at the Chief of Army Staff’s Christmas Luncheon organised for frontline troops in the Niger Delta, assured the Army will sustain its tempo in 2024, through various lines of operations in shaping activities that have a direct bearing on the economic mainstay of the country.
He said the luncheon was imperative to appreciate frontline troops for their uncommon sacrifices to the Nigerian Army and the country, particularly in the Niger Delta region.
He said, “Let me also add that as the year 2023 winds, it is on record that our operational activities have yielded the desired effects as evident in the surge in oil production quota for a relatively consistent period. I therefore urge you to sustain the tempo as we go into the year 2024.
“6 Division Nigerian Army will support the federal government to achieve its oil output target for 2024 and even surpass it for the benefit of our dear nation. This is our commitment, task and main objective.”
The GOC assured that the 6 Division Nigerian Army will continue to conduct its operations in line with global best practices and adherence to the code of conduct, rule of engagement as well as adherence to fundamental human rights.
He warned criminal elements who recently shot dead four soldiers in Ahoada, Rivers State that they will be made to pay a higher price for their actions.
“Our troops have been involved in various kinetic and non-kinetic activities that have considerably shaped the operating environment, with their attendant operational hazards.
“Key among these hazards are loss of precious lives of our dear colleagues, occasional Loss and damage of equipment. You are all aware that most recently we lost four of our gallant soldiers to the criminal activities of militants, unwarranted and unprovoked attacks.”
Also, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, represented by the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Kevin Aligbe commended the courage and resilience of soldiers in the face of adversity and their undying faith in the country.
“It is a fact that over 50,000 of our colleagues will miss wishing their families and loved ones a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in person this season, not because they do not want to but because they will be on duty in difficult-to-access towns, villages and hamlets across the country and beyond.
“Judging by the programmes and policies of the federal government, the year ahead holds numerous prospects for Nigeria and the military. In the coming year, the Nigerian Army expects to take delivery of its helicopters and other combat enablers that will see better security developed across the entire country.
“The security challenges in the country, so much have been done and we are winning on all fronts but they are still a lot more to be done. So we are going to focus on training to meet those challenges to ensure that Nigeria returns to the good old days where they can travel freely across the country and sleep with their two eyes closed.”
For his part, Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, represented by the Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Ordu, also acknowledged men and officers of the Nigerian Army for their sacrifices and assured that the government will continually partner with the military in ensuring peace and security in the state.
