Nigeria's government has ordered all oil firms that fled the Niger Delta in the wake of militant attacks to return to the area or cease operations.
Minister for Special Duties Godsday Orubebe said it was now safe for them to resume production.
But oil executives are sceptical about moving back and say the government cannot force them to return.
The announcement comes in a week when militants kidnapped Nigerian TV may lose Nations Cup ...
Fighting rocks Nigerian oil city ...
Nigeria oil peace deal 'a stunt' ... a top politician's wife and blew up a major pipeline.
The instability and violence in the southern region over the past four years have led to a significant drop in Nigeria's oil exports.
Many Nigeria-based oil firms have moved to the commercial capital, Lagos from Port Harcourt in the Delta.
Correspondents say most people in the Niger Delta live in poverty, the consequence of endemic government corruption.
The militants say they are fighting for a greater share of oil revenues for local people but many also have criminal motives.
They often abduct foreigners and prominent Nigerians who are usually freed after a ransom is paid.
(BBC)
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