Barry Esimone, an engineer, is the Chief Executive Officer of Crusteam, an energy and infrastructure group of companies. In this interview with Sebastine Obasi, he discusses challenging issues in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria and expectations in 2017, excerpts.

I’ve indicated interest to be considered for selection as the fifth Tor Tiv so that I’ll make my contribution towards the upliftment of our people traditionally and developmentally. I’ve taken this decision because by the grace of God I’ve had the opportunity to serve in public office and I think I have the experience and the exposure that I think will be relevant in that office.

I went to Aba to stop cannibalism, eating of human beings, it is just as bad as our people here today kidnapping our own people

If they had followed the comments the finance minister made about cutting rates, and had followed it, and cut it back to 12%, they would have created some instability which would have upset some investors. But then this is a double inflation as well because it is a battle between growth and inflation. So of course the high rates right now was causing concerns about the investment because of high debts to pay back but at the same time, price stability is probably what the CBN is trying to do, to cut the inflation rate which is 17.6% and also trying to stabilise the naira.

Mr. Kingsley Muturu is Delta State Chairman of ex-militants under the Phase 2 of the Amnesty Programme. In this interview, he shares alleged experience of harassment in the hands of the military Joint Task Force (JTF) in Niger Delta. He also condemns the arrest and secret detention of another ex-militant leader, Mr Francis Muturu, aka ‘General Aboy’, as well as calls on the Minister of Defence, the Inspector-General of Police, Director of SSS and others to intervene in the matter.