Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
Operators, as well host communities of oil and gas in the Niger Delta region have been encouraged to ensure active participation in the protection of critical national assets in their domain.
The Special Adviser to the National Security Adviser (NSA) on Niger Delta and Energy Security, Mrs. Grace Osaretin, made the call during a strategic stakeholders’ meeting on oil and gas security held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, military commanders, security chiefs, traditional rulers, community leaders, and representatives of international and indigenous oil companies
Osaretin called for stronger collaboration among government, security agencies, oil companies and host communities to safeguard the Nigeria’s critical gas infrastructure and sustain production.
She said the federal government, working with frontline security agencies and the Working Committee on Gas, had recorded significant progress in protecting critical gas assets through improved coordination and non-kinetic security measures.
According to her, the new approach has resulted in an 80 to 90 percent reduction in downtime along vulnerable sections of the GTS 4 gas transmission line.
“We are making significant progress in mitigating infrastructure sabotage through closer synergy with frontline commands, the Working Committee on Gas, and the implementation of new non-kinetic security strategies” she said.
Osaretin noted that improved pipeline availability had enabled the Working Committee on Gas, the Joint Inter-Agency Response Framework, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), security agencies and oil companies to sustain throughput across the gas transmission network.
She however observed that persistent vandalism and attacks on oil and gas facilities continued to impose additional operational costs on companies and undermine production efficiency.
She stressed the need to move beyond reactive responses to a proactive security framework anchored on public-private partnership.
“Our objective today is to transition from reactive measures to a cohesive, proactive strategy. We are not merely holding a dialogue; we are establishing a fortified public-private partnership,” she stated.
Osaretin also urged operators to strengthen engagement with host communities through alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms and community relations initiatives to address underlying grievances and enhance asset protection.
She reaffirmed government’s commitment to securing oil and gas infrastructure through the Defence Ministry, the Armed Forces and other security agencies, adding that effective collaboration, coordination and decisive action remained essential to protecting Nigeria’s gas infrastructure, boosting production assurance and supporting the country’s economic growth.
