Osinbajo in A/Ibom to continue peace talks

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo travelled to the restive southeastern oil region on Thursday to continue peace talks, according to his Twitter account, as the federal government seeks a deal with militants that could revive crude production.

This third visit to the oil heartlands will take him to Akwa Ibom state, he said on Twitter. He had previously held discussions in Delta and Bayelsa states.

Nigeria depends on oil exports for as much as 70 percent of government revenues. Militant attacks on production facilities last year slashed output by as much as one-third.

Production is now recovering, and the government this year aims to produce an average of 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd).

The head of Nigeria’s state oil company said on Tuesday the country is now at 2.1 million bpd. However, a Reuters survey found that Nigeria’s production was at 1.65 million bpd in February.