The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has commended the Defence Intelligence Agency, DIA, for its support over the years, especially in the area of recovery of stolen crude.

Group managing Director of the corporation, Maikantu Baru, gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the DIA chief, Mohammed Usman, an Air Vice Marshal, on Thursday in Abuja.

Baru said the aim of the visit was to seek for more collaboration and support “on matters of strategic national importance as it affects our operations.”

He noted that “The impacts of the despicable acts of pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft on our operations are huge; the losses are mind-boggling.

“Other impacts are loss of lives, high cost of operations, refinery shutdown, fuel crisis and environmental degradation,” he said.

The NNPC GMD promised that the corporation will continue to strengthen its partnership with the DIA and other government security agencies in securing and safeguarding national assets.

“We are committed to collaborating with the DIA towards eliminating haemorrhage of losses, revenue deferments and energy security threats,” he stated.

Baru revealed that part of the NNPC’s twelve business focus areas include the establishment of a security advisory council to renew its strategies and security architecture.

“The security advisory council will ensure robust community engagement and regularly provide crucial inputs to the national security team,” he explained.

In his response, the DIA chief promised continued partnership with the NNPC in protecting the nation’s oil facilities.

“The problem in the Oil and Gas sector is something that should worry every Nigerian because it has a direct bearing on our economy,” Usman said.

“The DIA will continue to support the NNPC towards ensuring the security of the nation’s oil and gas facilities.

“The challenges before us today are huge. I urge the NNPC and other IOCs (International Oil Companies) to identify the most critical infrastructure for us to come and assist them.

“I assure u that whatever we can do to help NNPC overcome these security challenges, we will do it in the interest of our nation,” he promised.