Governors’ Forum Urges Review Of Oil Bunkering Laws

The Nigerian Governors’ Forum has advocated a review of the law on illegal oil bunkering to check the seeming uncontrollable activities of offenders in the country.

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki, made the call while addressing newsmen shortly after a meeting of the body in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, attended by Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru.

He explained that the need for such review has become necessary due to the adverse effect of such practices on the nation’s economy, saying the Forum is poised to partner with stakeholders in the Niger Delta region to fast-track development in the area.

He commended President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and the Niger Delta people for the peace achieved from the amnesty programme and urged the speedy execution of projects in the Niger Delta region to settle the doubts trailing the programme.

Dr. Saraki commended the ex-militants for surrendering their arms, an action he said would make way for peace to thrive in the area and commended Governors in the Niger Delta states for ensuring the success of the amnesty programme.

He noted that the Forum was satisfied with the performance of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta region and pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to the development of all communities in the region.

Assuring that the body would ensure that the gains of the programme are sustained the chairman declared the support of the forum to the deregulation policy of the Federal Government.

Earlier, the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, and other members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum had accompanied Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, to commission the Ekoli Bridge now renamed Dr. Goodluck Jonathan bridge at Swali area of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.