The federal government said it will continue to engage all Niger Delta groups as part of measures to ensure peace in the region.
Minister of Niger Delta Development, Uguru Usani disclosed this after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, on the heels of recent threat by Niger Delta Avengers to resume hostilities in the region.
The Minister who stated that the federal government was doing everything necessary to provide basic infrastructure in the region, added that the President assured that whatever is necessary to bring development to the region will be done
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Reacting to the threats issued by the Niger Delta Avengers over the weekend to resume hostilities by blowing up oil installations, the Minister noted that although the issue was not discussed, the “President has always shown indication that whatever we need to and can do to sustain peace in the region, we would continue to do it”
He noted that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who has been chairing the committee on the Niger Delta issues will continue to engage with them to ensure peace.
“Well, we are glad so far that all parties have listened to one another. Government, Avengers, Elders and so on. We would wish that this continues so, we would advise all of us to remain calm and see the things that we agitated for coming little by little”
On a general note, it is understood that we have to be engaged to be able to sustain the peace that prevailed for a while.
” The President just needs to be briefed on our efforts though we know that the Vice President is briefing him from time to time per se, the Avengers issues were not discussed”
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Speaking on the state of the East-West road, he said the project was conceived and started from the Ministry of Works but was later transferred to the ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, adding that government was considering the option for completing the project
“Yes, I indeed met with the contractors appealed to them to go back to the site, we have also been very conscientious in releasing funds as they are cashed backed to them to continue work. Nonetheless the less, we are thinking of alternatives of completing that projects amidst the many issues that tend to be the undercurrent that is drawing back the execution. And such issues are technical and we tackle them. In due course, you will know the outcomes”
Uguru said the government has approved a budget of N5b for the take-off of the Okerekoko University, adding that ” you are aware that the Vice President has directed that that University must take off. And he also directed that a minimum of N5billion be budgeted for the take-off the University so, it’s a matter of patience knowing that some of these things have a procedure, so it will not be because it did not happen the way they wanted so it will not happen. Everything has a phase of planning and a phase of execution”
“The other issue is the communities being part of surveillance of the petroleum infrastructure in the region. And of course, you know that by the modular refineries which they had also talked about as sub-sect of how they can be engaged instead of what is called illegal refineries.”
“They are also on because the process of building a refinery or even getting the necessary procedures to establish such is not just a one-day business”
“Advertisements have been made, people have indicated interest and of course, to get it sustainable, the government is having the state governments involved but privately driven so that all concerned will be on a common page to be able to be sure that whenever it takes off, there is no frustration or sabotage”
” Then your second question of meeting with the Avengers. For us as a government, there hasn’t been any group from the region that intended to meet with any arm of government that has been rebuffed. So, if any people make such overtures, we happy to receive them. We have been receiving different groups. W are not limiting our dialogue or discussions to any particular group so anybody that says he is relevant in the process and comes forth” he said.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
