Oil theft: Delta deploys new vessel to secure waterways, assets

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The Delta State Government has strengthened its maritime security operations by inducting a new security support vessel to help combat oil theft, illegal bunkering and other crimes on the state’s waterways.

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The vessel, SSV-KALI 3, was inducted on Tuesday at the Yade Barge, Niger River Bank, Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state, by the Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, who represented Governor Sheriff Oborevwori at the ceremony.

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Oborevwori said the deployment of the vessel would boost efforts to secure waterways and protect critical oil and gas infrastructure across the state.

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The governor, in a statement at the event, said improved maritime security was essential to protecting investments, increasing production and creating a safer environment for businesses operating in the oil and gas sector, adding that the vessel would support security agencies in tackling oil theft, illegal bunkering and other activities that could undermine the state’s economy.

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“SSV-KALI 3 will add valuable capacity to these efforts; it will strengthen maritime security, help protect oil and gas assets, and support the fight against oil theft, illegal bunkering and other maritime crimes,” Oborevwori said.

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The governor noted that the vessel was particularly significant because it was designed and constructed in the state, describing it as evidence of the state’s technical expertise and industrial capacity.

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He also commended the partnership between Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited and the Nigerian Navy, saying such collaboration demonstrated the importance of local content in strengthening Nigeria’s economy.

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“This is an important occasion for SEEPCO, Delta State and Nigeria. We are celebrating not only a new security vessel, but also indigenous capacity, local content and a successful partnership between the private sector and the Nigerian Navy,” he said.

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Oborevwori said his administration would continue to encourage initiatives that promote local businesses, create employment and increase indigenous participation in the state’s economy.

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He added that the state government had been working with security agencies to improve intelligence sharing, coordination and rapid response, particularly around communities and waterways associated with oil and gas activities.

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Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said the induction highlighted the importance of strategic cooperation between the Nigerian Navy and private sector operators.

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Abbas said such partnerships were necessary to protect Nigeria’s maritime environment, critical energy infrastructure and businesses operating within the nation’s waterways.

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He assured private sector organisations that the Nigerian Navy remained willing to collaborate with credible partners to improve maritime security and protect the country’s maritime interests.

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Earlier, a representative of SEEPCO, Raj Bhargava, said the vessel was delivered in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy to improve maritime safety and protect personnel working on the nation’s waterways.

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The induction of SSV-KALI 3 is expected to strengthen security around Delta’s oil-producing communities and waterways, while supporting efforts to protect the infrastructure that drives economic activity in the state.

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