APA – Lagos (Nigeria) Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, says the country’s daily revenue from crude oil has risen to an average of US$282 million as a result of the amnesty programme in the Niger Delta.
A statement by the Group General Manager (Public Affairs) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Levi Ajuonuma, on Wednesday in Lagos quotes Alison-Madueke as saying at a rally of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos on Tuesday that the higher earnings from crude oil were as a result of the success of the Federal Government’s amnesty programme.
“Nigeria now earns average revenue of over 282 million dollars per day from crude oil-based on the combined daily production figure of crude and condensate which stands at 2.4 million barrels.
"Many of you will recall that, eight months ago, the nation’s crude oil production was as low as one million barrels per day.
“However, as I speak to you today, thanks to the vigorous implementation of the amnesty programme of this administration, the story is now different,’’ she said.
According to her, this means increased average revenue for the government with which this administration is now using to provide the much desired dividends of democracy to the citizenry.
“Whether you look into education, roads or health care, there is improvement in the provision of these services to the citizens of this nation,” the minister said.
The minister added that the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill would further increase government’s revenue to the tune of over US$680 billion annually.
She also assured that the government would provide a level playing field for operators in the industry.
"The PIB, when it becomes law, will move Nigerian business men and women into the commanding heights of the oil and gas industry,” she said.
GIK/daj/APA
2011-03-02 17:37:20
