Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has assured the
people of Niger Delta of new vision by the
President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
He spoke on Friday during a working visit to
Bayelsa State.
Lamenting that the blessing of oil paradoxically
became a curse, Osinbajo noted that the
region’s means of livelihood, fishing and
farming had consistently been destroyed by
pollution.

He, however, assured that the Federal
Government will begin a partnership with oil
producing states, local governments, oil
companies, private sector, and civil society
organizations for the rapid development of these
communities.
The acting president in his speech added: “We
must convene an oil-communities intervention
meeting to work out what can be done in the
short to medium term and the long term
possibilities. We must focus on how to ensure
that the people see the benefits of the wealth of
the land.

“This new vision will define the future of the
region. Oil exploitation by itself cannot suffice
to assure our people of decent jobs and a
decent income.
“We must make our oil producing communities
hubs for petro-chemical industries, small and
large. We must make these communities hubs
for refining and related activities.
“The Ministry of Petroleum in collaboration with
the oil companies is working on several
initiatives for host communities including
working with illegal refiners in oil bearing
communities to participate in modular refineries
that will be established.
“A key point they make of the several important
points, is that the young men of Bayelsa are
entrepreneurs, driven and dynamic and this is
critical. Societies are built on the
resourcefulness, innovativeness and drive of the
people.

“India does not have a drop of oil but it now
home to the largest refinery of Petroleum in the
world. I want to challenge the young
professionals and entrepreneurs to set up A
Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce and
Entrepreneurship Council.
“Where we can identify those involved in
technology, Agriculture, Oil and Gas,
manufacturing and the professions. A chamber
of commerce properly organized will attract the
right kind of local and international partnerships
and even funding. I am prepared to work with
you on that.
“Today new investments in the oil and gas
sector have slowed down so badly because
investors have a choice all over the world, even
here in Africa, and they will not put their
resources in a dangerous or unstable
environment.
“This is why our oil producing communities
must now refuse to participate in the
destruction of pipelines and oil facilities. Aside
from loss of revenues this also means further
pollution of the land and aqua culture.

“We must not allow anyone to persuade us that
we need to destroy investments, pollute our
environment to prove a point or to get a few
benefits. That is cutting our nose to spite our
face!
“From 2015 Nigeria began to lose 1 million
barrels of oil daily. Almost 60% of revenues lost
to vandalisation. This affected all states, and
especially states in the Niger Delta region.
All the requests Udengs made the road to
Brass, Airport, etc can only be done when the
FG and the states earn revenue.
“We cannot destroy the sources of revenue and
expect revenues. Your Excellencies, your Royal
majesties and the great people of the Ijaw
nation, we must make haste. We must move
quickly.”