TheCable

Ibe Kachikwu, minister of state for petroleum resources, Adams Oshiomhole, governor of Edo state, were among the government officials that on Wednesday met with stakeholders from the Niger Delta region over the resurgence of militancy.

Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, which held in Abuja, Kachikwu expressed the federal government’s readiness to check sabotage in the region.

He said both parties had resolved to work together to stop the recent upsurge in attacks on critical oil and gas installations and ensure security, stability and economic development of the region.

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

He added 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 added that it was resolved that all threats from the region should end because violence was not an option in resolving the problems of the Niger Delta.

According to him, there was the need to restructure the amnesty programme so as 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,” Garba Deen Muhammad, NNPC’s spokesman, quoted Kachiwu as saying.

Muhammad said Oshiomole and other leaders of the Niger Delta region who spoke at the meeting urged the agitators to drop their arms and embrace dialogue.

He said the meeting was attended by Mohammed Monguno; national security adviser (NSA), Usani Uguru, minister for Niger Delta; Heneiken Lokpobiri, minister of state for agriculture; Paul Boroh, coordinator amnesty programme, and stakeholders from Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta and Ondo states.