PHCCIMA re-echoes relative peace in Niger Delta at Offshore Europe confab
The biennial conference and exhibition which started in 1970, is the largest oil and gas conference and exhibition outside North America. It is a global forum where engineers, technical specialists and industry leaders gather to source and discuss new exploration and production techniques, debate new ideas and discover the solutions that will deliver sustainable oil and gas in the future.
The technical sessions at OE covered the following key industry areas: Drilling and completion, reservoir management, smart production, extended field life, topsides, health and safety and formation evaluation.
Indeed, attendees expect to see what is new in the oil and gas industry as well as engineering, construction, and allied sectors; to also evaluate products and supplies; set up supply channels; solve specific problems; find new markets; obtain technical knowledge/experience; meet new trade associations and industry press; evaluate new industry projects; meet other international attendees, and pursue local content.
For the Nigerian private sector delegation led by the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), it was easy to imagine what the questions and conceptions from other delegates and guests would be on the Niger Delta issue; the militants, the kidnappings, the hostage takings, the flying dynamites and bullets, the bleeding creeks, the hostile host communities, etc.
Some of the Nigerian delegates said they were able to make personal achievements in the following areas; matchmaking opportunities, joint venture, sales representative and distribution, country agency, technical licensing and transfer, import and export, expertise for local content, trade management and related services and general business opportunities.
However, president of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Billy Harry who led the Nigerian Organized Private [OPS] sector delegation to the oil and gas conference, said what was more important was the presentation to OE, the highlights of the achievements made by various stakeholders in the country in dealing with the issue of restoring conducive investment climate in the Niger Delta.
According to him, although the fears being expressed and the apprehension entertained by investors around the globe on the situation in the Niger Delta region are understandable, Nigerians at the Offshore Europe (OE) made it clear - which, other delegates and guests appreciated - that the Niger Delta question has gone clearly beyond militants and their activities to restoration of order, and business in the region.
"When we spoke to them, we did not make a presentation that sought to do public relation job for Nigeria or hide anything. We made a presentation that represented what the situation is in the Niger Delta problem; the truth, being that, the days of conflict are over. The militants have given up and accepted the state pardon from President Yar’ Adua, and they are undergoing various rehabilitation programmes," Billy Harry said.
According to him, before now, it was fashionable to see militant groups owning up to the familiar kidnap or attack on oil facility a few hours after the event. "Now, nobody wants to be counted on that side anymore. Look at the last attack on Saipem; up till now, no one has owned up. MEND quickly dissociated itself from it; despite the threat they issued earlier. You can see that the attack was against the run of play. It is no more fashionable to be counted or seen as a militant. Despite that incident, the days when criminals marched down the streets, beating their chests in victory are gone," the OPS leader said.
He explained that the investment environment in the region is conducive now and many international investors and countries that monitored events smartly are already back in business in the area. He cited the example of Russia whose Charge De Affairs to Nigeria, Serdey Rogov visited the Rivers State governor, Celestine Omehia a a couple of weeks ago with the information that Russian government investors are on their way to the country.
Rogov had told newsmen in Port Harcourt, through an interpreter, that he was in Port Harcourt because the international community believed the situation report given by Governor Omehia at a recent parley the Foreign Affairs ministry organized for diplomats in Abuja.
He commended the state governor for the role he personally played in the release of the Russians that were kidnapped in a neighbouring state, emphasizing that the Russian company where the hostages worked is now planning to expand its operations in the Niger Delta.
The Russian Charge De Affairs disclosed that Russian companies are engaged in construction of power plants in Bayelsa state and the Aluminum Smelting Company in Akwa Ibom state and lauded the government of Rivers state for encouraging investors in the state.
An elated, Rogov, had disclose that both Rivers state and Russia , share a lot of similarities in areas of culture, difficult terrain, oil and gas production and expressed the hope that apart from raw materials, there could be partnership in refining of natural resources.
The Envoy solicited the collaboration of the state government in strengthening the cordial relationship existing between his country and Rivers state which, he said, has come a long way, especially in education, and hoped that the co-operation would extend to communication and industrialization.
He explained that with the co-operation of Nigeria, Russia was determined to help fight ignorance and poverty in the state which they have demonstrated by assisting Rivers State students educationally for the benefit of both countries.
Responding, Omehia thanked the Russian Government for her confidence in the Rivers State Government and expressed delight that the visit has further vindicated his assertion at a parley in Abuja, that the state is safe for investors.
The governor commended the Russian authorities for awarding scholarship to 52 students of the state origin in its institutions and pledged that the state would continue to collaborate with the country to strengthen bilateral relations.
Harry, meanwhile, disclosed that he chamber is bombarded everyday with letters and proposals from Singapore, China, UK, Ukraine, US, Korea, Japan, India and France seeking partnerships, collaboration, and franchise.
"A trade delegation from Port Harcourt to China just returned in July, and we are expecting them here any time from now, according to our agreement. Next month, a trade delegation from PHCCIMA would be visiting France…so much is already going on, but a lot of people would rather dwell on the past," the president said.
Harry explained the top line in the measures packaged by PCCIMA to create the soft landing, which he said, contributed to the restoration of confidence—the Peace and Security Alternative for the Niger Delta (PaSAND) programme. Harry noted that the blueprint for this programme was packaged in collaboration with stakeholders in the region.
"PaSAND was developed by PHCCIMA to proffer solution to the crises in the Niger Delta. Its aim is to identify the key security issues and tackle them systematically with Direct Impact Programme (DIP) that will reduce conflict and tension which may militate against successful implementation of the Niger Delta Master Plan", the Chamber President stated.
The PaSAND initiative is a private sector driver, intent on promoting a mutual sense of development within all stakeholders by continuously purposing programmes such as open presentation to government, encouraging the oil companies in setting up bureau that will ensure their being well known within the organized business circuit in the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole.
PaSAND also seeks to initiate interactive sessions between companies and the communities to explore avenues that will ensure zero conflict. The programme also provide for effective training and employment of Niger Delta women and youths to relevant and useful enterprises.
The PHCCIMA said the Niger Delta crises have been blown out of proportion, and that most media commentaries show no interest in efforts being put in place either by government or the OPS in the region to address the issues.
He outlined some of the reasons that should make local and international investors optimistic on the Niger Delta issues. They include what he described as a genuine and transparent plan by the federal and state governments to achieve peace and reconciliation committees set up at both levels, have achieved so much.
There is also the increased surveillance by local and international security involving the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, SSS and local vigilante groups in local communities. Harry said investors can further be assured that tension went down just as politically associated prisoners were released, and unconditional amnesty offered to all militants.
The PHCCIMA president, recalled that a few weeks back, state governments in the region, the OPS and some UK, Netherlands and US based security agencies held a joint meeting where updates in the measures being implemented were reviewed. "What the Joint Task Force (JTF) is currently doing in the region is to ensure that what has been achieved in restoring peace and order is consolidated. There is no more issue of anybody issuing threats or taking anyone hostage," Billy assured.
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