Now that oil production and prices have risen

Since 2015, the current administration headed by President Muhammadu Buhari has been challenged by welter of forces including low oil price, pipeline vandalisatiion, herdsmen/farmers skirmishes, militancy, kidnapping, Biafra and weak national institutions. But the president has demonstrated undiluted commitment to rebuilding our institutions with the deliberate recruitment of vital corps of men and women of […]

Since 2015, the current administration headed by President Muhammadu Buhari has been challenged by welter of forces including low oil price, pipeline vandalisatiion, herdsmen/farmers skirmishes, militancy, kidnapping, Biafra and weak national institutions. But the president has demonstrated undiluted commitment to rebuilding our institutions with the deliberate recruitment of vital corps of men and women of proven pedigree and inculcated into our national psyche the routine of self-discipline, innovations and cutting-edge reforms. This effort brought excruciating pains, just as it impacted on the quality of life and infrastructural development in the country.

I also commend the president for the choice of service chiefs and subsequent renewal of their tenure which bespeaks the commendable capacity, professionalism and ethical integrity of the service chiefs.  The rise in oil price and attendant rise in production in the Niger-Delta region is a very good development for the country, especially as our economy is driven by oil. But we must work hard to protect our maritime corridor to safeguard it against pirates and other criminals. It is important, therefore, for the National Assembly to provide a functional and efficiency driven allocation for the sustenance of the operation and security of our maritime corridor. We must raise our national reorientation value chain to enhance sustainability of the gains of the present economic growth and social integration. 

E.Sunnie Harries wrote from Abuja