Stakeholders in the oil and gas sector have called on the federal government to ensure continuous dialogue with the Niger Delta militants for sustainable peace in the sector.
They spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at the ongoing Nigeria International Petroleum Summit (NIPS)
The stakeholders spoke on the topic “The 7 Big Wins- Short and Medium Term priorities to grow Nigeria’s oil and gas industry’’.
Mr Demola Adeyemi-Bero, Chairman Independent Petroleum Producers Group said that a lot of work need to be done to sustain the peace in the region for economic growth and development.
He said that continuous engagement of the Niger Delta militants would also help to buy in investors in the country.
“The resources are there in Nigeria, investors are willing to come into the country, so continuous engagement with the youths and all stakeholders in the region is very important.
“Again, there is the need for enabling environment to be created,’’ he said
Another Stakeholder, Mr Austin Avuru, Managing Director, Seplat Petroleum said that government need to study the problem of the region and find a lasting solution to it.
“We have spent 60 years treating Niger Delta problem, with budget and so much money to solve the problem , the whole region is like a captured region, we need to build strong relationships with the communities.
“The truth is that we are not doing them any favour, they are stakeholders in the industry,’’ he said.
According to him, government needs to painstakingly build relationship with the region and by so doing, a lot will be achieved.
Earlier, the Minister of State for petroleum resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu said that government had devoted so much energy to continue to dialogue with the Niger Delta Militants.
According to him, much result has been achieved and relative peace sustained in the region.
He noted that any minister that failed to dialogue with the militants would have more crises at hand.
“One thing I want you to know is that it is a big risks going to those creeks to dialogue with those guys but, it paid off,” Kachikwu said.