News: Federal Government (FG) to Create 36,000 Direct, 200,000 Indirect Jobs

The Federal Government yesterday, disclosed that through the planned stoppage of gas flaring, 36,000 direct jobs as well as 200,000 indirect jobs would be created in Niger Delta region alone.

The Special Adviser to the President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta/Coordinator of Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh, made this disclosure in Gelegele, an oil bearing community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo, during the inauguration of water project in the Ijaw community.

Boroh, who said plan had reached advance stage to put an end gas flaring in the country through the National Gas Flaring Commercialisation Programme, disclosed that the flare would be harnessed for both cooking, electricity and other industrial use in the 48 flaring sites already identified in the first phase.

The Amnesty boss who did not give effective date for the commencement of the programme, said an approval had been given by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the National Gas Flaring Commercialisation  programme.

“I want you all to know that the government is quite disturbed about the health and environmental impact of  gas flaring and is working hard to put an end to this very soon.

“Through this programme also, six million households would have access to a clean and renewable energy,” he said.

Boroh however said the programme would be private sector driven, pointing out that the President remained committed to the development of the region just as he stressed that there were other areas which the government would also partner with the people.

According to Boroh, the people were expected to be active participants in the Modular Refinery and Pipeline Security and Monitoring Scheme, both of which modalities for its implementation had reached advanced stage.

“For the pipeline security scheme, it is going to be community-driven. The community People where we have these oil installations and facilities are expected to drive this process. The modalities for these are still being worked out.

“For the modular refinery which is also going to be private driven, it is being initiated in order to put an end to the menace of illegal refinery. The blue print on this will be out soon,” he stated.

 He said the amnesty programme which was at the reintegration phase, had achieved its short and medium term objective, and was being restructured towards all-inclusive human capacity development agenda.

Earlier in their address jointly presented by the Ama-Okosuwei of Gelegele-Gbene community and the Ijaw National Congress (IYC), had called for the establishment of amnesty office in the community.

The address which was read by Chief Robinson Ogunkoru, also appealed  for pipeline surveillance slot for INC in Edo as well as provision of skill acquisition center in five Okay clan of Edo.

They also demanded for the inclusion of other genuine agitators who were not captured in the amnesty programme and the proper direction and coordination of programme and policies for the existing ex-agitators.

Source: ThisDay