FG targets 1.9m bpd crude oil production

The Minister of State for Defence, Muhammad Bello Matewalle, said the federal government is targeting about 1.9 million barrels per day (bpd) increase in crude oil production as a result of improved security brought about by the Nigerian Navy in the waterways.

Matewalle who spoke with our reporter on the sideline of the flag-off of the Nigerian Navy sea inspection tagged ‘Nchekwa Oshimili’, at Onne, in Rivers State, said the Nigerian Navy constitutionally has the mandate to make sure that they protect the territorial water of the country.

He said before the emergence of the present administration, crude oil production was at 900,000 barrels per day (bpd), adding that the production output has increased to 1.7 million bpd because of improved security.

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“That is why we have this improvement on our oil productions and I believe they are going to do more and at the end of the day we are targeting 1.9 million barrels per day so the navy are doing their best and we are proud of them,” he said.