Daniel Idonor
26 August 2011, Sweetcrude, Abuja — The Presidency Thursday began a count down to President Goodluck Jonathan’s 100 days in office, with a declaration that one of the president’s achievements was Nigeria’s recovery of her place as the highest exporter of crude oil in Africa.
The government announced that Nigeria had again overtaken the Republic of Angola in oil production, following the return of peace to the troubled Niger Delta.
Nigeria currently produces about 2.4 million barrels per day (bpd) up from about 1.8 million bpd during the crisis in the Niger Delta.
Dr Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said the sharp rise in oil production had again put the country as the second largest oil exporter in the world, next to Saudi Arabia.
He said: “Boosted by the overwhelming success of the amnesty programme of the current administration, Nigeria’s oil production expanded by 20 per cent and she reclaimed her foremost position as Africa’s largest oil exporter, which she had hitherto lost to Angola.
“Nigeria sets a new record by being recognized by OPEC in July as the second largest oil exporter in the cartel, second only to Saudi Arabia. It is the first time Nigeria has recorded such a feat, he added.
