The Federal Government yesterday, launched a $10 billion infrastructure programme in the restive Niger Delta region as part of plans to end an insurgency that has hobbled oil production.
Consequently, President Muhammadu Buhari will meet representatives of militant groups and community leaders from the Niger Delta in Abuja next week in a bid to end the attacks on oil installations in the region. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, the Minister of State for Petroleum resources said.
Speaking to a forum in Abuja aimed at outlining strategy for the petroleum industry, Kachikwu described bringing the insurgency to an end as the first goal of a seven-point plan.
“Our target is to ensure zero militancy in the area,” he said. “This planned meeting shows the level of interest the president has to ensure peace in the area.”
The $10 billion investment is “not necessarily” going to come from the Federal Government but rather from “oil companies, investors and individuals,” he said.