Governors from Nigeria’s oil-rich and volatile south Tuesday called for rapid development of the impoverished region, saying this alone could bring lasting peace.
A government amnesty for oil rebels who laid down their arms has brought about a temporary truce after three years of hostility that reduced the country’s oil production by a third of its peak output.
Daily oil production, which dipped to around one million barrels per day last year from a peak of 2.6 million in 2006, has now risen to around two million since the amnesty three months ago.
“It is only when there is development and an end to injustice in the Niger Delta that an enduring peace can be assured,” Governor Rotimi Amaechi of the southern Rivers State told delegates at an oil conference here.
He said the government should implement the post-amnesty programme of rehabilitation for the militants and jumpstart rapid development of the area.
“People are violent because they are hungry in the midst of plenty,” he said.
Bayelsa State governor Timpre Sylvia added: “Oil companies should come up with individual programmes and projects for the advancement of the region.
“Everybody knows that oil production has increased since the amnesty, this progress can be complemented if there is massive industrialisation …”
A senior official from oil giant Shell said the company was ready to collaborate with government to execute developmental projects to douse unrest.
“We on our part, will work with the relevant authorities to carry out our social responsibility,” Tony Attah said.