The need for a Diversified Economy in Nigeria is one that has always received a priority call by many notable Nigrians judging from the over dependence on CRUDE OIL from the Oil Rich Niger Delta Region which has been the Country's main source of Revenue Derivation in Decades. Over the years Economic Experts have always reiterated these Calls & Predictions have it that Majority of the WELLS in the Region might DRY UP in the nearest Future and this will spell out an Economic DOOM for Nigeria if an alternative is not sourced soon. ...
#NIGER DELTA AFTER OIL
Nigeria Ambassador to the UNITED STATES, Prof. Adebowale Adefuye has also joined the league of agitators for a Diversified Nigerian Economy, this was made known during a courtesy visit to the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs/Chairma He also called for the sustenance of the Presiential Amnesty Programme which is has endeared the Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Empowerment of the Niger Delta Ex-Militants. Stressing that a Diversified Economy will create a better future for these rehabilitated youths & and continually BOOST the Nations Economy in areas like Agriculture which Nigeria has a good potential judging from our arable lands also in Power and ICT Development
While attributing the Relative PEACE in the Region to the success story of the Presidential AMNESTY Programme under the Dodmatic Leadership of Hon. Kingsley kuku he extolled the Achievments of Ex-Militants presently studying in the United States of America who have demonstrated Good Conduct to the admiration of all making Nigeria Proud Again!
MOA.
Below is an Excerpt/Reportage of the visit as further reported by The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Prof Adebowale Adefuye, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, has called for a diversification of oil resources to develop other sectors of the nation’s economy.
Adefuye made the call on Tuesday in Abuja when he paid a courtesy visit to Mr Kingsley Kuku, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, in his office.
He said oil resources needed to be diversified to enable other sectors such as power, agriculture, Information Communication Technology (ICT) to contribute substantially to the nation’s economy.
The envoy, who said that people of the Niger Delta depended on oil for their sustenance, stressed need for them to be diversified in other sectors of the nation’s economy.
He said the important aspect of the amnesty office was the training being given to the former militants in various United States institutions.
``We go round to see them where they are trained and ensure that their interests are being looked after. I am glad to report that many of them have shown tremendous competence in their formal skills,’’ the envoy said.
He said the oil production increased due to relative peace in the Niger Delta.
``I think the era of militancy is gone and we have seen the impact on that on the nation’s economy through an increase in oil production.
``The next step is now to diversify the resources to develop other areas of the nation’s economy,’’ Adefuye said.
He recalled that the embassy held a forum on infrastructure between Oct. 10 and 11, 2012, saying that the idea was to encourage investors in the United States to contribute to three key areas of Nigerian economy.
According to him, the areas are power, agriculture and infrastructure.
Adefuye, who said some investors had started negotiating with some Nigeria’s Governors, said that these investors would come to the country on Jan. 14, 2013 to continue their negotiation.
Responding, Kuku who is also the Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, said the amnesty office would honour any form of positive review or correction of the amnesty programme.
He said the relative peace in the restive Niger Delta had led to an ``astronomic'' growth in the nation’s economy.
``From a paltry production level of 700,000 barrels crude oil per day at the peak of the Niger Delta crisis in the first quarter of 2009, Nigeria currently produces 2.7 million barrels per day. It is even close to three million per day.
``Computed with prevailing exchange rate of about N160 to the dollar, daily production savings for Nigeria and the Joint Venture partners currently stands at a minimum of N33.4 billion per day.’’
``It will be safe to emphatically assert that savings for Nigeria and the Joint venture partners for 2011 is estimated to be a whopping N6 trillion,’’ Kuku said.
He said it was through oil resources that the Governments at all level were funded, meaning that`` directly or indirectly they have benefitted from the amnesty programme.’’
Kuku, however, presented Adefuye a comprehensive brief of the amnesty programme to enable him and the embassy have better understanding of the programme. (NAN).
-@MOAgbajoh
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