Nigerian Navy has urged international oil companies to ensure sustained information and intelligence sharing with security agencies to secure operating environment in the Niger Delta.
Navy Director of Information, Commodore Suleman Dahun in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the call was made by Chief of Naval Staff, CNS, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, when Mr Lorenzo Fiorillo, the Managing Director of Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited, visited him in Abuja.
Mr Dahun stated that Ibas expressed concern over the use of illegally sourced petroleum products by some oil industry operators, which he said violates global best practice.
He commended Agip for the existing collaboration between it and Nigerian Navy, particularly the provision of berthing facilities by the company to Nigerian Navy ships.
He quoted the CNS as saying “with sustained induction of new ships into the NN inventory, provision of berthing facilities would enable the Nigerian Navy to respond to threats in the maritime environment.”
Mr Ibas said that the Nigerian Navy would continue to collaborate with Agip and support its operations.
He requested for regular reporting of incidences of maritime security interest observed in the course of Agip routine operations to the Nigerian Navy.
Mr Fiorillo appreciated the concern of the CNS over the practice of illegally sourced petroleum products by some oil companies.
He pledged Agip’s commitment to collaborate with the navy to stamp out the practice and also commended the Nigerian Navy “for improved security in the maritime domain.”
The Agip oil company boss invited the navy to participate in a one-day workshop on Security and Human Rights being organised by the company slated for Oct. 14 in Abuja.
The managing director added that the workshop was to raise awareness on the issues of human rights and threats to security management system.
He said that the workshop would draw participants from senior management staff of relevant oil companies, security agencies and the National Human Rights Commission.
Mr Fiorillo reiterated that the workshop would facilitate interaction and enhance the knowledge of concerned authorities and personnel on how to carry out their duties professionally.
He said this would be in line with international human rights standards and regulations.
NAN
