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The Nigerian Guild
of Editors has urged Nigerians to support the federal government’s
post-amnesty programme so as to maintain stability in the Niger Delta
region.

The call was part
of a communiqué issued at the end of the guild’s sixth All Nigerian
Conference of Editors in Port Harcourt. Such support, the Guild said,
was necessary to prevent any resurgence of militancy in the oil-rich
Niger Delta.

The editors
acknowledged that the amnesty programme initiated by late president,
Umaru Yar’Adua, remains a positive development that has impacted on the
oil and gas industry, especially with the arrest of militancy in the
region. The editors also commended the incumbent president for the
sustenance of the programme and urged all editors to promote the
programme to forestall a possible resurgence of militancy which they
said almost took the nation to the brink of bankruptcy.

Diversify the economy

They also
commended Mr. Jonathan for signing the Local Content Bill into law and
for setting up the Local Content Monitoring Board. They urged the media
to publicise the provisions of the law and the activities of the board,
adding that the law provided opportunities for empowerment of Nigerians
in the oil and gas sector. Stressing the need for transparency,
accountability and probity in the allocation and utilisation of oil and
gas resources, the editors said they believe such attitude would
engender growth and development and eliminate restiveness in the
oil-rich Niger Delta region.

They, however,
criticised the over-dependence on oil and advised the government to
develop other sources of revenue such as solid minerals and
agriculture.

On the Freedom of Information Bill before the National Assembly, the
editors re-echoed their earlier demand for the passage of the bill to
allow people to hold the government accountable.