As has been the case since the last three years when the Niger Delta crises peaked with hostage taking and attack on oil facilities, which resulted in the mass exit of both old and new businesses as well as personnel, the issue of security and threat to investments took centre stage at the just concluded International Oil and Gas Conference a.k.a Offshore Europe (OE), held at Aberdeen, Scotland.

The biennial conference and exhibition which started in 1970, is the largest oil and gas conference and exhibition outside North America. It is a global forum where engineers, technical specialists and industry leaders gather to source and discuss new exploration and production techniques, debate new ideas and discover the solutions that will deliver sustainable oil and gas in the future.

The technical sessions at OE covered the following key industry areas: Drilling and completion, reservoir management, smart production, extended field life, topsides, health and safety and formation evaluation.

Indeed, attendees expect to see what is new in the oil and gas industry as well as engineering, construction, and allied sectors; to also evaluate products and supplies; set up supply channels; solve specific problems; find new markets; obtain technical knowledge/experience; meet new trade associations and industry press; evaluate new industry projects; meet other international attendees, and pursue local content.

For the Nigerian private sector delegation led by the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), it was easy to imagine what the questions and conceptions from other delegates and guests would be on the Niger Delta issue; the militants, the kidnappings, the hostage takings, the flying dynamites and bullets, the bleeding creeks, the hostile host communities, etc.

Some of the Nigerian delegates said they were able to make personal achievements in the following areas; matchmaking opportunities, joint venture, sales representative and distribution, country agency, technical licensing and transfer, import and export, expertise for local content, trade management and related services and general business opportunities.

However, president of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Billy Harry who led the Nigerian Organized Private [OPS] sector delegation to the oil and gas conference, said what was more important was the presentation to OE, the highlights of the achievements made by various stakeholders in the country in dealing with the issue of restoring conducive investment climate in the Niger Delta.

According to him, although the fears being expressed and the apprehension entertained by investors around the globe on the situation in the Niger Delta region are understandable, Nigerians at the Offshore Europe (OE) made it clear - which, other delegates and guests appreciated - that the Niger Delta question has gone clearly beyond militants and their activities to restoration of order, and business in the region.

"When we spoke to them, we did not make a presentation that sought to do public relation job for Nigeria or hide anything. We made a presentation that represented what the situation is in the Niger Delta problem; the truth, being that, the days of conflict are over. The militants have given up and accepted the state pardon from President Yar’ Adua, and they are undergoing various rehabilitation programmes," Billy Harry said.

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