ABUJA — The Niger Delta Progressive Alliance (NDPA) has commended recent pipeline surveillance efforts in the Niger Delta, describing them as a critical factor in Nigeria’s economic recovery and long-term prosperity. The statement was made on Monday by Ambassador Nse Victor Udoh, NDPA President-General.

According to the NDPA, securing pipelines has gone beyond its initial security purpose to become a national asset protection strategy, with far-reaching economic, social, and environmental impacts.

Ambassador Udoh highlighted that Nigeria’s crude output has increased from approximately 1.18 million barrels per day in August 2023 to over 1.7 million barrels per day by late 2024, largely due to reduced pipeline vandalism and improved monitoring.

“This increase represents not just a recovery in production, but a restoration of confidence in the petroleum sector,” Udoh said. “Every additional 100,000 barrels per day translates to $2.5–3 billion in annual export revenue, directly strengthening national budgets and development planning.”

The NDPA noted that pipeline surveillance has enhanced operational stability across the petroleum sector, enabled more predictable crude flow for refineries, and improved Nigeria’s credibility in international oil markets. The Port Harcourt refinery restart in late 2023, which processes over 60,000 barrels per day, depended on the assured feedstock delivery through secured pipelines.

Beyond economic gains, the alliance emphasized the environmental and social benefits of pipeline protection. Sustained monitoring has dismantled illegal refining sites, allowing rivers to recover, farmlands to regain fertility, and communities previously exposed to hazards to restore livelihoods. Engagement with local communities has transformed them from passive victims into active participants in safeguarding national assets, creating employment opportunities, educational support programs, and women-led enterprise initiatives.

“Pipeline surveillance is not just about stopping theft. It has restored security, stability, and predictability—key foundations for national prosperity,” Udoh added. “A country cannot prosper while its primary revenue-generating assets remain exposed. Securing pipelines secures our economic future.”

The NDPA called for continued investment in technology, transparency, and community partnership to ensure that asset protection becomes a permanent national discipline rather than a temporary intervention.

The statement concludes that disciplined protection of Nigeria’s strategic infrastructure is central to economic continuity, fiscal credibility, and the conditions necessary for sustainable national growth.