President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged commitment to prosecuting the amnesty programme in the Niger-Delta with vigour in order to bring about lasting peace and stability in the area.
This is contained in a statement on Thursday in Abuja by Mr Ohi Alegbe, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Department, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The statement explained that Dr Jamila Shu’ara, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, stated this while delivering Buhari’s message at the ongoing 167th Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) International Seminar in Vienna, Austria.
She said the president was also committed to ensuring stability in other parts of Nigeria, thus making the operational environment safe and attractive once again.
“Nigeria is committed to tackling corruption, especially in the extractive industry.
“The country will strive to bring back transparency and accountability in public life, especially in the petroleum industry which is the mainstay of national economy,’’ she said.
She said Nigeria under the administration of President Buhari, was committed to playing more effective roles in the affairs of the OPEC.
Buhari was a one-time Minister of Petroleum Resources and Head of Nigeria’s Delegation to the OPEC Conference.
She said Buhari would continue to work for the realisation of the aims and objectives of the organisation.
She was there to convey the message of Buhari and that of Nigeria to all Heads of Delegation of OPEC Member Countries and representatives of other countries.
She said Buhari appreciated the keen interest shown and, in some cases, the support given to Nigeria towards the implementation of what had become a very successful political transition programme.
On the Petroleum Industry Bill, Dr Shu’ara noted that the Buhari administration would take a critical look at it with a view to effecting necessary changes that would facilitate its early passage.
Dr Shu’ara said government would strive to diversify the economy and put in place essential infrastructure that would aid its growth.
“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 over dependence on exported crude oil revenue,” she said.
Dr Joseph Dawha, Group Managing Director of NNPC, during a presentation at the meeting said despite the odds, crude oil would continue to play an important role in the future world energy balance.
Dahwa said government would continue to resolve difficult challenges regarding oil supply in the world energy market.
“Thus (this will) achieve a more efficient use of existing oil resources, discover new oil reservoirs, with greater accuracy and also lead to more efficient oil extraction from existing field.
“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.
“Additionally, with traditional oil importing nations becoming more self-sufficient, the struggle for available markets is likely to become even fiercer,’’ the GMD said.
Dawha called on the global oil industry to always seek to strike that delicate balance between adaptation of technology to increase production and the need to protect the environment.
“Environmental protection and sustainable development continue to be of great importance; we should also aim to adopt environmental policies that guarantee sustainable production as we seek to secure future diminishing oil markets,’’ he said.
