Speaking on the development, the Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, insisted that Nigeria is benefiting immensely from the exercise.
He said that the volume of crude oil being produced in the country had increased tremendously since the exercise commenced.
A Wall Street Journal report last week focused on the yearly payment of about N5.6bn to former Niger-Delta war-lords for guarding the oil pipelines in the restive region.
The report gave a break-down of the militants involved in the contracts as ‘General’ Government Tompolo Ekpumopolo,N3.6bn; Asari Dokubo, 1.44bn; ‘General’ Ateke Toms,N560m and ‘General’ Ebikabowei Boyloaf Victor Ben, N560m.
While defending the government action, which Okupe said was done by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, he said, “Since this exercise began, the crude oil production has jumped from 1.8mbpd to 2.6mbpd.
“That is an increment of over $700m income per day to the government. So, when you compare what was paid to get this benefit, it pales into insignificance.”
He said the issue of pipeline and their safety were matters of national security and should not be politicised.
Okupe said it was on record that oil majors were already engaged in community protection of pipelines and there was no better way to secure the pipelines than to employ members of the community within the community they were built.
Moreover, he said the transaction for the contracts were “with NNPC and corporate organisations who have the abilities to protect the pipelines and the nation is enjoying the benefits.”
A Wall Street Journal report last week focused on the yearly payment of about N5.6bn to former Niger-Delta war-lords for guarding the oil pipelines in the restive region.
The report gave a break-down of the militants involved in the contracts as ‘General’ Government Tompolo Ekpumopolo,N3.6bn; Asari Dokubo, 1.44bn; ‘General’ Ateke Toms,N560m and ‘General’ Ebikabowei Boyloaf Victor Ben, N560m.
While defending the government action, which Okupe said was done by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, he said, “Since this exercise began, the crude oil production has jumped from 1.8mbpd to 2.6mbpd.
“That is an increment of over $700m income per day to the government. So, when you compare what was paid to get this benefit, it pales into insignificance.”
He said the issue of pipeline and their safety were matters of national security and should not be politicised.
Okupe said it was on record that oil majors were already engaged in community protection of pipelines and there was no better way to secure the pipelines than to employ members of the community within the community they were built.
Moreover, he said the transaction for the contracts were “with NNPC and corporate organisations who have the abilities to protect the pipelines and the nation is enjoying the benefits.”
Doyin Okupe can never see anything wrong in whatever Jonathan does so that he wont be sacked... I cant take him seriously!
ReplyDeleteNigerians want amnesty? Let's give them amnesty for God sake! Afteral bokohram wil soon be collecting billions of amnesty money to fight terrorism. Stupid Cabals and Nation without conscience! Lizzy
ReplyDelete@Muyiwa, he who pays the piper dictates the tune. what do you expect from a jobless, visionless and zero integrity bulldog? I think it is we Nigerians that need to rise up and salvage the nation from all these vampires.
ReplyDeleteHas that brought development to the area, for that was the reason for the ubrest in first place. from ward to national, Nigerians are crazily corrupt, some induviduals collect money to shut up the yearnings of a community. hhhhmmm, na wa for naija
ReplyDeleteBoko Haram should be given Billions of naira contract to fight terrorism in Nigeria! SIMPLE!!
ReplyDeleteThen can we all turn criminals and get paid too? since criminals' place is no longer in jail but at the Presidential VillA.
ReplyDeleteThese fools are just paying their thugs money frm the federal purse and come the next election cycle they will unleash these thugs who r living off the tax payers money to maraud innocent citizens?
ReplyDeleteWhat has the payment of this so called contracts done to the lives of ordinary citizens in the area where the oil is extracted? Same story of abject poverty and prostitution.Any wonder Boko Haram is creating such devlish Mayhem......to be paid off too! Shame on this administration!U r rewarding evil with ppls money!
It pays to be a criminal in 9JA.These are the guys that introduced kidnapping to the country been rewarded for the pain and atrocity they caused to innocent victims.Shame on the Government.They will soon start to pay BOKO HARAM 2 for killing innocent people.
ReplyDeleteIts is unbeleivable that our Predident and Doyin or what is his name will agree to pay the common criminal to protect people of Nigerian, Shame on this Government i cant just beleive it is true, whaoo, Please Nigerian vote wisely in 2015, please or else, anyway good luck to those living in Nigeria, my God will protect you all since everything will be fine. form Georgia USA
ReplyDeleteDoyin.you ara disgrce to yoruba heritage whom we regard them as warriors of campaign agaisnt injustice,corruption and other societal vices in this country
ReplyDeleteThis is the height of nepotism. GEJ and co are simply destroying this nation.
ReplyDelete