Nigeria: Odili Stresses Need for Peace
By: Tony Ita Etim

August 3, 2006 – (Daily Champion) Governor Peter Odili of Rivers State has said "no meaningful development and sustainable development can take place in Nigeria without the enthronement of peace and justice." Dr Odili stated this in a keynote address at the opening of two-day conference on "Democracy, Security and Development: Implications for the Oil and Gas Industry in the Niger Delta" organized by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Centre for Advanced Social Science (CASS) at the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Odili maintained that the biggest foundation for sustainable peace is justice and unless the leaders in the various sectors appreciate to do right in obedience to the natural law of equity, justice and fair-play, the efforts at developments will fall short of expectations. He observed that the conference was appropriate, particularly because of the strategic importance of the region in the global energy market, and in the economy of the nation, stressed the need for a more balanced information on events in the area, rather than the over blown reports that dominate the media.

Odili stated in the last five years that Port Harcourt has recorded about 400 per cent rise in population, influx of new residents, and businesses based on the emphasis of government on security issues. He disclosed that the state has purchased more than 130 patrol vans fit with communication equipment for the Nigerian Police in the State to function effectively. On job creation and empowerment, Dr Odili said his administration has, in addition to providing job in the Oil sectors also collaborated with The Adolescent Project (TAP) to train youths and women in various skills, and empowered them to start the trades acquired with starter equipment as well as take off grants.

He commended President Obasanjo on the Presidential initiative on the Niger Delta and hoped that the conference will help the people to generate the needed ideas to provide sustainable development in line with the existing structures tackling the Niger Delta region. Chairman, Governing Council, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Mallam Abba Dabo, said the strategic importance of the Niger Delta region to the country's economic survival cannot be over-emphasised as the area accounts for virtually all the Oil and Gas production of the country and account for more than 90 per cent of foreign exchange earnings.

Dabo pointed out that the conference was unique in many ways as it presents a challenge on the issue of local participation in the oil and gas industry, effectiveness of the corporate social responsibility of companies, the environmental protection and the development of an effective conflict resolution mechanism for the Niger Delta region.

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200608030442.html