The Niger Delta Investment Summit has renewed calls for stronger private sector partnerships to enhance maritime security and safeguard critical national assets across the Niger Delta region.
The call was made in a statement issued by the summit’s organising committee following a courtesy visit to Target One Group in Abuja.
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In the statement signed by Emmanuel Ukpong, Lead Consultant at Gadfly Consulting Limited, organisers commended the Group Chief Executive Officer of Target One Group, Mr Kennedy Odoeme, for his company’s contributions to pipeline surveillance and maritime security.
They noted that the coordinated efforts of private security firms have played a critical role in restoring stability and reducing oil theft in the region.
According to the organisers, Nigeria previously suffered massive revenue losses due to widespread oil theft and pipeline vandalism, which at times reduced crude oil production to as low as 600,000 barrels per day, far below the country’s capacity of over two million barrels per day. These losses, they said, undermined national development before targeted security interventions, including the amnesty programme and private sector-led surveillance initiatives, began yielding results.
Speaking further, co-convener of the summit, Dr Uche Igwe, praised the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, alongside other security agencies and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), for improved collaboration that has strengthened maritime safety in Nigerian waters.
Dr Igwe said the upcoming summit would serve as a platform for sustained engagement between government and private sector stakeholders, with a dedicated session on maritime security to promote continuous improvement and shared responsibility. He added that international experts would also participate to share best practices.
The maiden edition of the annual summit is scheduled to hold from February 9 to 11 in Ikot Ekpene.
Former Tunisian Prime Minister, Mehdi Jomaa, will deliver the keynote address, while Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, is expected to declare the summit open.
