The Presidency has frowned at threats by a group, Niger Delta Avengers, to bomb nation’s oil installations unless their demands including restructuring of the federation were met by the Federal Government within 90 days.
Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, condemned the threats in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.
He noted that the media was on Sunday awash with reports on the threats and demands by the group to embark on economic sabotage through bombing of critical oil and gas installations unless certain demands, including development of the Niger Delta, and restructuring of the Federation, were met.
The presidential aide stated that such threats were unnecessary and uncalled for as President Muhammadu Buhari had since engaged the leadership of the Niger Delta and Ijaw National Congress (INC), on how best to address the demands of the group.
Adesina, therefore, expressed shock and surprise over the threats as President Buhari had only met with the concerned stakeholders of the Niger Delta in the Presidential Villa less than 48 hours ago where they deliberated over many issues including their demsands.
He said: “It is, however, curious that the threat was coming less than 48 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari met with the leadership of the Niger Delta and Ijaw National Congress (INC), at the Presidential Villa, and the germane issues had been responded to, especially call for restructuring of the Federation, and the inauguration of a Board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).”
Adesina, who reproduced the president’s speech during the meeting with the leaders of the Niger Delta and the INC, said the outcome of the meeting had rendered the threats by the group unnecessary.
According to the president, as soon as the forensic audit report is submitted and accepted, the NDDC Board will be inaugurated.
He, however, challenged the Ijaw National Congress to play a more active role in making sure that the ”mismanagement that occurred in the past is not repeated”.
Buhari noted with delight the call for promoting ownership of modular refineries by the Ijaw people.
”I will urge you to interphase with your sons who are involved in the processes of establishing these refineries, especially the Honourable Minister of State Petroleum Resources to actualize this quest.
“Like you well know, completion of the East-West Road is top on my infrastructure agenda and I will look to its speedy conclusion.
”Again, the occasional disturbance by youths in some communities along the route to construction work would require your close attention and guidance.”
The president also, during the meeting with the INC leaders, observed that his administration had made considerable progress with the construction of the Bonny to Port Harcourt Bridge.
“I am very happy with the recent affirmation of your belief in a United Nigeria and while I thank you for standing with me, I will also implore you to use your leverage in making sure that we keep working together to keep this country a united, indivisible entity, so that we can tackle our problems together and overcome our challenges together.
“I would like now to commend Professor Okaba for your emphasis on supporting the fight against insecurity by developing internal control mechanisms as well as working with other institutions in the country to address our current security challenges.
“While I thank you once more for this visit and I will continue to count on your support as we work towards resolving our current challenges.” (NAN)
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