Presidency Describes Niger Delta Avengers’ Threat as Unnecssary
BUHARI
The Presidency Sunday described the threat by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to bomb oil installations in the Niger Delta region if the federal government fails to meet their demands as unnecessary.
In a statement issued by the Media Adviser to the President, Mr Femi Adesina, the Presidency said it was surprised that the threat came 48 hours after the leadership of the Niger Delta and Ijaw National Congress (INC) met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House Abuja.
According to the statement, Buhari and the INC leadership had discussed the call for restructuring of the country and the inauguration of the board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
He said the speech by the President on Thursday when they met had made the threat which he described as “any sabre-rattling” unnecessary.
Buhari, according to the statement had said he noted the 10 point demand by the leaders of the Niger Delta during the meeting and promised to address them.
The President, according to the statement was also said to have expressed concern over the environmental degradation in the Niger Delta and told the leaders during that meeting that hydrocarbon pollution remediation project had started in the area.
The President was quoted saying, “ I have directed the Minister of Environment to ensure that the projects are implemented with a high percentage of local content and inclusion of the surrounding communities”.
On the issue of restructuring, the President was said to have responded, “In addressing your call for immediate restructuring, the National Assembly whose responsibility it is to ensure that our constitution responds to the call for a restructured Nigeria has already concluded regional consultations and as soon as they finalise the process, necessary action would not be delayed on my part,”
On the call for creation of more states, the President was equally said to have told the Niger Delta leaders that this was a legislative matter.
On granting operational licences for marginal licences to Ijaw people, Adesina quoted the President saying, “I completely agree with your call to allocate operational licences for marginal fields to Ijaw people. However, as you know, the process of granting licences is guided by laid down rules and regulations, most of which even favour local content and local contractors. I see no reason why they should not be granted such licences if they qualify”
In a statement issued by the Media Adviser to the President, Mr Femi Adesina, the Presidency said it was surprised that the threat came 48 hours after the leadership of the Niger Delta and Ijaw National Congress (INC) met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House Abuja.
According to the statement, Buhari and the INC leadership had discussed the call for restructuring of the country and the inauguration of the board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
He said the speech by the President on Thursday when they met had made the threat which he described as “any sabre-rattling” unnecessary.
Buhari, according to the statement had said he noted the 10 point demand by the leaders of the Niger Delta during the meeting and promised to address them.
The President, according to the statement was also said to have expressed concern over the environmental degradation in the Niger Delta and told the leaders during that meeting that hydrocarbon pollution remediation project had started in the area.
The President was quoted saying, “ I have directed the Minister of Environment to ensure that the projects are implemented with a high percentage of local content and inclusion of the surrounding communities”.
On the issue of restructuring, the President was said to have responded, “In addressing your call for immediate restructuring, the National Assembly whose responsibility it is to ensure that our constitution responds to the call for a restructured Nigeria has already concluded regional consultations and as soon as they finalise the process, necessary action would not be delayed on my part,”
On the call for creation of more states, the President was equally said to have told the Niger Delta leaders that this was a legislative matter.
On granting operational licences for marginal licences to Ijaw people, Adesina quoted the President saying, “I completely agree with your call to allocate operational licences for marginal fields to Ijaw people. However, as you know, the process of granting licences is guided by laid down rules and regulations, most of which even favour local content and local contractors. I see no reason why they should not be granted such licences if they qualify”
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