The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Wednesday flagged-off “Operation Delta Sanity” in Warri, Delta State, as part of efforts to further combat crude oil theft and other criminalities in the nation’s maritime space.
Flagging-off the new exercise onboard Nigerian Navy Ship IKENNE at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) jetty, Admiral Ogalla said “Operation Delta Sanity” replaces “Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO” that was launched in April 2022.
He said the launch of ‘Operation Delta Sanity’ was timely considering the renewed effort of the federal government toward attaining sustainable development of blue economy.
He recalled that the phased out ‘Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO, was launched in a bid the stem the tide of crude oil theft with support from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
Admiral Ogalla noted that the menace of crude oil theft and illegal bunkering had constituted a substantial threat to the nation’s economic development and prosperity and recalled that as at December 2021, Nigeria’s crude oil production had fallen from 1.579 million barrels in 2020 to 1.197 million barrels.
“This loss was attributed to pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and operation of Illegal Refining Sites (IRS). Accordingly, no effort should be spared in combatting oil theft which constitutes a grave national security threat,” he said.
The naval boss said that during the ‘Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO,’ the Navy engaged in kinetic and non-kinetic initiatives across the Niger Delta and made several arrests of vessels and crude oil and refined products.
His words: “These include the landmark arrest of MT HEROIC IDUN in Aug 22, which prevented the possible theft of about 3 million barrels of crude oil. A total value of over N105 billion worth of crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products were seized during the operation.
“As a result of the ‘Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO’, as at September 2023, Nigeria’s crude oil output rose to 1.35 million barrels per day, from about 1 million barrels per day. It peaked at 1.57 million barrels per day in October 2023.
“It is my singular honour and privilege to terminate ‘Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO’ and Flag-off ‘Operation Delta Sanity’.”
The CNS noted that, with the Blue Economy initiative, President Bola Tinubu sought to maximise the nation’s potentials in deriving optimal benefits from Nigerian Maritime Environment for economic prosperity. The new initiative therefore beholds on the NN to rejig the ongoing anti-crude oil theft, anti-illegal bunkering and related operations.
The naval boss thanked President Tinubu for his continuous support to the Nigerian Navy, noting that without him, the NN would not have accomplished the achievements recorded so far.
Delta State Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, thanked the Navy for the new Operation and promised to offer support.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, thanked the Nigerian Navy for ridding Nigeria’s maritime environment of crimes.
He noted that the navy had made giant strides in its maritime policing efforts in line with its constitutional mandate, especially through prevention of oil theft and others
Lokpobiri urged all participating units and formations to vigorously and sincerely pursue the desired operational objectives of ‘Operation DELTA SANITY’ for enhanced the nation’s economic prosperity.
“I equally solicit the support of all stakeholders and partners to the Navy so that we can derive optimal benefits from this noble initiative,” he said.
The CNS further inaugurated a building project at the premises of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta.
In attendance were Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira; Minister of Defence, Bello Matawalle represented by Director of Navy, Dr. Raji Ogunsola, Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Chindo Yahaya.
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