The Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari will sustain the amnesty programme in the Niger Delta, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has said.
This was revealed by the Head of Nigeria’s delegation to the 167th meeting of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Dr. Jamila Shu’ara, who also stated that the new government would effect necessary changes to the Petroleum Industry Bill.
Shu’ara, while speaking in Vienna, Australia at the ongoing OPEC International Seminar, stated that Nigeria, under the leadership of Buhari, would continue to work for the realisation of the aims and objectives of the organisation.
She noted that the Buhari administration was committed to prosecuting the amnesty programme in Niger Delta with vigour, with a view to bringing about lasting peace and stability in the area as well as in other parts of the country.
This, she said, would make the country’s operational environment safe and attractive once again.
A statement from the NNPC quoted Shu’ara as saying, “I am here to covey to all heads of delegation of OPEC member countries, and indeed representatives of other countries, President Muhammadu Buhari’s gratitude, that of the government and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to member countries of our organisation, and indeed, the international community, for the keen interest shown and, in some cases, the support given to Nigeria towards the implementation of what has become a very successful political transition programme.
“Nigeria is committed to tackling corruption, especially in the extractive industry, and will strive to bring back transparency and accountability in public life, especially in the petroleum industry, which is the mainstay of the national economy.”
On the PIB, Shu’ara noted that although the bill was still in the National Assembly, the Buhari administration would take a critical look at it with a view to effecting necessary changes that would facilitate its early passage.
“I would like to assure industry players that government will work assiduously to ensure the speedy passage of the bill and even speedier implementation of the related programmes,” she said
The NNPC official said the government would strive to diversify the economy and put in place essential infrastructure that would aid the growth of Nigeria.
Shu’ara said, “We are committed to investing in the whole petroleum value chain in order to add more value to our national economy from our natural resources and reduce our overdependence on exported crude oil revenue.
“I am to assure the OPEC heads of delegation of a new dawn in Nigeria and the capacities of a new President, who understands and appreciates the prospects and challenges of our organisation like no other former Nigerian head of state, having been a minister of petroleum resources before.”
In a presentation at the seminar, the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr. Joseph Dawha, stated that the struggle for crude oil markets would be increasingly fiercer in the future.
He said, “New technology and climate change would most likely once again dramatically change the landscape of future oil supply by rapidly increasing supply sources and applying significantly downward pressure on oil prices.