Rear Admiral Noel Madugu has assumed duty as the new Commander, Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta with a promise to end oil theft in the region.
At a handover ceremony at the Headquarters of the JTF in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital, on Friday, Madugu said he would be proactive in curbing all forms of criminalities and their networks in the region.
He took over from Rear Admiral John Okeke, who has been transferred to Abuja.
The new JTF commander said, “A mandate has been given to us by the Federal Government, we must sustain the fight against crude oil theft and any form of illegality in the oil industry.
“So the mandate is for us to achieve at least 2.5 million barrels per day of oil output, which the former commander has done his best but I assure the public and the government that we will strive hard to achieve that task given to us.
“The former commander did a lot of things including the host community relationship building on the task of boosting crude oil production.
“It was low but it is high as he is handing over to me. So the momentum will be kept so that we sustain the fight against crude oil theft and to ensure that the mandate of 2.5 to 3 million barrels per day is achieved,” he said.
He promised to strengthen the synergy among the various units, components and formations of the task force for effective results.
The former commander, Okeke, expressed his gratitude to officers and men of the JTF for the support and cooperation they extended to him during his tenure as the commander.
“Your professionalism and dedication to telling the story of our operations have been invaluable in promoting awareness and understanding of our mission.
“I am proud to say that together, we have made significant progress in maintaining peace and security in our joint operations area.
“As I hand over the reins to my successor, I urge you to extend the same level of cooperation and support to him,” he said.
