THOUGHTS ON THE NIGER DELTA CRISIS

Debonair Chief Executive of Shoreline Dredging and Oil Services Ltd, Dr Olumide Amos-Oluwole is a respected voice in the Nigerian Dredging business. The medical doctor turned business guru won the admiration and respect of Dredging & Exploration Magazine long ago with his articulation and suave perspective on sundry issues. The Managing Editor bumped into him recently and both friends shared brief thoughts on developments in the Niger Delta. (This was before the declaration of amnesty in the Delta region by the Federal Government)

Excerpts:

For some time now, the world economy has receded into a meltdown, leading to low oil prices and other negative fallouts. How has the crisis affected the dredging business particularly your company?

Dredging business is a high-budget business. Government and companies that engage dredging firms are all currently experiencing general downturn as a result of the global economic meltdown. This has slowed down dredging activities in the country and Shoreline being a leading indigenous dredging company is not shielded from this experience. Prospective contracts are delayed and some put on hold due to the meltdown.

How has the Niger Delta crisis affected dredging and business?

All legitimate business activity require safe and crisis-free environment to thrive. The crisis no doubt has impacted negatively on dredging as well as other businesses. Owing to incessant kidnaps and militant attacks, dredging projects now require extra funding for planning, logistics and security to embark on.

What solutions would you profer for the Niger Delta conundrum?

Solutions to Niger Delta youth restiveness to me would include;
a) Establishment of skill acquisition centres for the purpose of imparting skills to unskilled youth and empowerment for self employment.
b) Massive Re-orientation of the youth.
c) Establishment of sporting and other worthy recreational centres to further and more meaningfully channel the energy of the youth.

How do you see the opening of a Technical Service Centre in Lagos by IHC?

It is a good development which will enhance to a greater extent the service delivery of dredging companies in Nigeria.

By Dr. Amos-Oluwole

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