In order to find a lasting solution to the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta region, the federal government has agreed to re-engage persons from communities in the region to protect the oil pipelines.

The federal government has also promised to restructure the amnesty programme so as to address the critical issue of neglect by the government and international oil companies, as claimed by the inhabitants of the region.

Nigeria’s crude production has dropped in recent times from about 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) to around 1.4 million bpd due the vandalisation of critical oil pipelines by agitators in the region, a development that has resulted in the country losing its place as Africa’s top oil producer to Angola.

The Muhammadu Buhari administration had, before now, threatened military action against the perpetrators who it had described as economic saboteurs.

But in a statement yesterday by the spokesman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Garba Deen Muhammad, the federal government announced that it had resolved to work with stakeholders from the Niger Delta region to stop the recent upsurge in attacks on critical oil and gas installations, and to ensure security, stability and economic development of the area.

Speaking at the end of the meeting held in Abuja and attended by prominent Niger Delta leaders and other stakeholders, minister of state for petroleum resources and group managing director of the NNPC, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, expressed the government’s readiness to check the resurgence of pipeline sabotage in the region.

Present at the meeting were Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole; national security adviser (NSA), Maj. General Mohammed Babagana Monguno (rtd); minister for Niger Delta, Usani Uguru; minister of state for agriculture, Sen. Heneiken Lokpobiri; coordinator, Amnesty Programme, Brigadier General Paul Boroh (rtd), and stakeholders from the seven Niger Delta states of Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta and Ondo states.

Kachikwu said all the stakeholders resolved that solutions to the incessant attacks on oil and gas pipelines are within the communities, stressing that communities were now saddled with the responsibility of ensuring protection of pipelines within their domain.

Accordingly, government resolved that “all the states in the region would nominate four or five representatives that would work hand-in-hand with security agencies to secure oil facilities in their respective states.”

The minister further stated that violence was not an option in resolving the problems of the Niger Delta and that all threats from the region should end henceforth.

He also noted that the Amnesty Programme needed to be restructured in order to address the critical issue of neglect by the government and international oil companies.

“The Niger Delta governors must be involved in providing lasting solutions to the resurgence of pipeline vandalism and there is urgent need to create business opportunities for the locals in the region,” Kachikwu stated.

Oshiomhole and other leaders of the Niger Delta region, who spoke at the meeting, urged the agitators to drop their arms and embrace dialogue as the federal government was committed to the development of the area.

Kastonkastroll:
Haha I like this style. The militants will be left with one another to finish off themselves. That's a smart one from the government.

Mend vs scavengers loading very soon whoever gave the government this idea is a brilliant person

Kastonkastroll:
Haha I like this style. The militants will be left with one another to finish off themselves. That's a smart one from the government.

Mend vs scavengers loading very soon whoever gave the government this idea is a brilliant person

kokoA:
New Sherif in town. No more business as usual.

Demmocrats:


Walahi my Sai Buhari gives no Fvck!!!



If you break the law the same treatment given to Nnamdi Kanu and Muslim group leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky will be given to you independent of your ethnic group or religion.



The new active and dependable sherif in town, tested, trusted and reliable.


Sai Buhari!!!

Re: Highlights Of 2015 APC Campaign Promises In Pictures by Flets: 10:40am On Mar 24, 2015

How do we avoid the impending dangers to Nigeria’s economy and existence under a Buhari presidency? We must need to face reality as there is no magic in governance. Extremely hard times lies ahead for this country if Buhari ever emerges victorious.

How do you explain to a Niger Deltan that despite GEJ's achievements in almost all sectors, roads, bridges, railways, agriculture, automobile, alamajiri schools, new universities, fertilizer and ghost worker scam elimination, freedom of press, FOI, free and fair elections, power sector. .........etc, he is still booted out.

What will stop the creeks from going haywire again? Buhari will send the troops to the creeks and together they will set the oil facilities ablaze.
OBJ's use of JTF force could not help as no Oil producing company will risk producing crude and killing staff in a volatile region. GEJ under Yaradua had to get down to the creeks to to talk to these boys and effect the amnesty program because they found him as a representation in government.

It will be impossible to convince a ND minority albeit a militant that their own was not persecuted out of office. And that will be the theme of their new struggle. The long term solution to this mess is implementing the Confab report and enthroning true federalism.

A lot of opportunities are springing up around Africa and the IOCs are already geared towards investing in these newer and saner climes than invest in an unstable Niger delta . And while these troubles persists, the oil producing companies will simply withdraw their personnel from the volatile region and all foreign investments will seize in all sectors.

Unfortunately, even if the Nigerian troops kill 90% of the militants, it will take just one militant, a dynamite and just one strategic location along the multi- kilometer trunk lines to continue to wreck havoc to the Nigerian economy.

Fast forward to 2019, if we remain one country and without a civil war,, we will be an economic wreck with no allocations and salaries, no capital projects, no hope with dollar exchanging for 400 naira and we are worse off than we were in 2015.

Cos the truth is that without crude proceeds for now, Nigeria is finished.

And then, we'll be screaming another 'Change' because we would have learnt a bitter lesson in the hands of the Fulanis, Tinubu and Saraki.And then we will ask.... Why were we this silly?

And before you quote me, make sure you outline in clear terms how you or Buhari will avert this obvious calamity staring us in the face
Only last week, they creek boys seem to have resumed activities by kidnapping at Yoho facility operated by Exxonmobil and have shut in 80KBD already. Are we ready for this for the next 4 years?

The entire world stands to benefit from a crisis in the Niger delta. Its not a coincidence that USA who abandoned us at the height of bokoharam is busy shouting for change in govt . Crises in the ND will reduce supply of crude to the Oil market and that would drive up the price of crude for producing countries.... But at Nigeria's expense.

Is Buhari is any way a better Democratic president than GEJ? Is this risk worth it?

Nigerians.... Be Warned!!!

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caleb404:


It's such a tough job defending the illiterate. I thought you guys bragged about how the military will decimate the militants?

You people even had the guts to compare a stark illiterate to a PhD holder. By now you must have discovered the logic behind the saying..." dem nor dey use power stand prick"...!!!

See how you quickly turn dey yarn opata after your demi god has been placed where he belongs by "rag tag militants"... I feel for zombies cha. Buhari says jump, you leap high, he says squat, you postrate... NO mind of your own.

HammerTheirPapa:


Ahaaaaa! I thought your Mr sherriffu is in town and is a no-nonsense general that can not bow to Avengers. Mr sherrifu sef!

Kastonkastroll:
[s][/s] why this useless epistle now. Am I supposed to read this rubbish or what? The government don't wanna waste its bullets on the scavengers but mend will be paid to do the dirty job. I know this news is paining you like the Ugandan you are. I got 3 words for you.



Go & quench

caleb404:


It's such a tough job defending the illiterate. I thought you guys bragged about how the military will decimate the militants?

You people even had the guts to compare a stark illiterate to a PhD holder. By now you must have discovered the logic behind the saying..." dem nor dey use power stand prick"...!!!

See how you quickly turn dey yarn opata after your demi god has been placed where he belongs by "rag tag militants"... I feel for zombies cha. Buhari says jump, you leap high, he says squat, you postrate... NO mind of your own.

caleb404:


I'm taking my dog for a walk. He's more valuable than a zombie.

bejeiodus:
This is just a short term measure that doesn't address the underlying cause of restiveness in the region. Another set of billionaires are about to be made.