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.
Comments
Post a Comment