The Nigerian government is mindful of the crisis in oil bearing communities and has constructively engaged the Niger Delta region in finding a lasting solution, the state-owned News Agency of Nigeria reported on Sunday.

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo was quoted as saying that the government was intervening speedily to create more jobs and expose the youth to various opportunities to acquire skills.

Obasanjo said there was greater need to talk and explain to those communities that they were entitled to justice and fairness as a result of oil exploration and exploitation activities in the region over the years.

He said that one of the viable options could be concession of oil blocs to the Niger Delta area as stakeholders and partners, stressing the urgent need to put in place some infrastructure in that region.

He said the government is also concerned about the state of the nation's infrastructure, especially in the areas of power generation and distribution, education and health.

"I am not happy with what is happening to these sectors and something needs to be done immediately," Obasanjo said.

He said he would soon convey a summit each on education and health to shop for answers to the problem areas.

Source: Xinhua