NEWS Military strategizing to secure oil sector– CDS

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Gabriel Olonisakin yesterday said the armed forces are working on a new strategy to take over the security of the oil and gas infrastructure in the country.

Safety of oil pipe lines and oil theft had been contracted to private companies alleged to be linked to former Niger Delta militants.

The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) reportedly asked the Service Chiefs to intervene and provide security for the oil sector, following a presidential directive for the security agencies to take over.

General Olonisakin responding to a question from journalists at the sideline of the Nigeria Navy Seminar on Research and Development held yesterday in Abuja said the armed forces would soon take over security of all issues associated with oil and gas.

Earlier in a prepared speech before declaring open the seminar, Olonisakin said the research and development efforts of the Nigerian armed forces would be more than ever before required to surmount the insecurity challenges of the country.

He said the armed forces most innovate towards attainment of self reliance in line with the strategic vision of the President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas said the reinvigorated research and development unit of the Navy has made innovative progress in design, construction, information technology and training.

He added that the navy was using alginate extracted from sea weeds to stabilize laterite to produce compressed earth blocks as well as innovation in the use of cement laterite in building affordable houses.