Abia Crude oil Production Increased from 10,000 to 32,000 barrels per day.

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The involvement of a local security company in the monitoring and defense of oil pipelines and infrastructure within the state has been credited with the rise in crude oil production in Abia State.

In less than six months, Abia State’s crude oil output has risen from the 8,000–10,000 barrels per day it fluctuated around prior to August 2024 to 32,000 barrels per day, according to Mr. David Nwogu, Executive Director of Okposon Security Services.

Oil theft has been a significant setback for the socioeconomic development of oil-producing communities, the oil sector, and the Nigerian government, according to Nwogu, who made the discovery in a media discussion at the organization’s offices in Owaza, Ukwa West.

Okposon Security Services is a domestic private security company tasked with guarding the Imo Gate Manifold, Kokom Right of Way, Imo Rivers 1, 2, and 3, as well as the Isimiri Oil Fields.

Nwogu claims that the company’s work scope includes safeguarding gas and oil wells, delivery lines, and flowlines in Abia State all the way down to Eche in Rivers State.

According to Nwogu, there has been a significant decrease in bunkering activities in the area since the security agency was hired in August 2024.

According to him, the company, which employs 300 people, made the decision to hire young people from the neighborhood in an effort to lower the unemployment rate among them.

He claims that because they now feel like they belong, this encouraged the indigenous people to defend oil pipelines rather than turn to sabotage.

He said that involving indigenous people, who are more familiar with the area than outsiders, is the greatest approach to protect oil pipelines.

Nwogu added that in order to guarantee a seamless functioning, the business is collaborating with traditional security services.

He praised the Federal Government for being smart enough to hire local security companies to protect Niger Delta oil pipelines.

Nwogu promised that pipeline vandalism would cease to exist in the places where the company operates as a result of the several tactics and rewards it has used to inspire the oil-rich region’s indigenous population.

The executive director, who claimed that the company pays its native employees much over the new minimum wage, was pleased with the degree of collaboration from the indigenous people.

“We also give palliatives to other indigenes who are not our staff to give a sense of belonging to everyone in the oil-producing communities”, he said.

” This way, everyone is now helping to safeguard oil pipelines here, and that is why oil production has gone up from between 8000/10000 barrels per day before our engagement to 32,000 barrels per day in less than six months.”

He said he was hopeful that Abia’s oil production would rise in the upcoming months and that the government’s revenue base would also strengthen.

Nwogu praised the region’s security forces for their cooperation in combating oil theft.

He reaffirmed the company’s resolve to completely eradicate oil theft in the region, with the full backing of Chief Sam Nwogu, its Managing Director and former head of the Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, or ASOPADEC.

He cautioned the people to avoid oil pipelines, highlighting the risks and negative environmental impacts of illegal refineries and oil bunkering.

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