Repentant Militants to Get Jobs in Oil, Gas Sectors

Most Nigeria media report that the Federal Government has continued to seek ways to quell the Niger Delta conflict. And the latest effort is to provide job opportunities for repentant militants in oil and gas, information and communication technology and agriculture sectors,

Besides, Honorary Special Adviser to President Umaru Musa Yar?Adua on Niger Delta, Mr. Timi Alaibe, yesterday met with traditional rulers of Gbaramatu kingdom and Government Ekpumopolo aka Tompolo, who he said had finally agreed to surrender his arms. Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Ufot Ekaette, disclosed the employment initiative yesterday in Abuja while delivering a speech at the opening of a 3-day National Programme on Human Resource Development for Enhanced National Security organised by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in collaboration with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and Hilton Communications Limited. Information made available by the minister indicates that relevant private service providers that would train the militants had been identified. ?In preparation for the provision of employment for ex-militants, the ministry has already identified qualified private sector service providers to train and provide jobs for trainees," said Ekaette.

Good, the effort by the Federal Government to provide job opportunities to repentant militants in the Oil and Gas sector is a great move, but what happens to the thousands of Niger Delta indegens currently engaged in this same Oil and Gas industry as casual labourers and poorly paying contract employment? Do they have to carry arms too before it dawns on the government that they too need to be absurbed as regular Oil and Gas employees?

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