The National Economic and Financial Council has urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd to strengthen security along all creeks in the Niger Delta region.

Governor Hope Uzodimma said this while briefing newsmen at the end of the NEC meeting, chaired by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

Mr Uzodimma, who chairs the NEC Ad hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft Prevention and Control, reported major progress in curbing oil theft and vandalism since the committee’s reconstitution last year. 

He said the collaborative efforts between the NNPCL, the navy, security agencies, and state governments had raised crude oil production to over 1.7 million barrels per day.

Mr Uzodimma added that the committee’s mandate has now been expanded to include tackling illegal mining and theft of solid minerals nationwide.

“The council was satisfied with our progress and directed us to extend the same model to secure solid mineral resources being illegally mined and exported. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to safeguard the nation’s wealth,” he said.

The Imo governor commended President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to economic stability and national security. He assured that the governors remained united behind the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The prosperity that Mr. President promised Nigerians is gradually becoming a reality,” Mr Uzodimma said. “Our duty is to sustain it through integrity, cooperation, and effective governance at all levels.”

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, presented a comprehensive memorandum on strategies to realise Tinubu’s economic vision rooted in shared responsibility between the federal and state governments.

He said the presentation highlighted the administration’s macroeconomic reforms, security priorities, and the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund as key instruments for growth and development.

According to him, the council considered and unanimously adopted a six-point reform framework.

He said the framework included periodic briefings by the coordinating minister of the economy, the Central Bank of Nigeria governor, and the budget minister on measures to support macroeconomic stability. This, according to him, will ensure the sustainability of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund as a tool for collaborative infrastructure development across the federation.

The council’s resolutions, Mr Bagudu said, were moved by Mr Uzodimma and seconded by Governor Abdullahi Sule before receiving a unanimous endorsement from all the members.

(NAN)