N/Delta Avengers: No need to issue bombing threat — Buhari

…FG addressing 10-point demand

…says NOSDRA proactive in reducing spils by oil firms

…NDDC forensic audit ready in July

…response shows unseriousness, insincerity — PANDEF replies

By Ayo Fadimu

The Presidency has warned the militant group, Niger Delta Avengers that there is no need to issue threats r to esume bombing of critical oil and gas installations in the country as the Federal government has met the demands of the people of the area.

According to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the Presidency said it was curious that the group issued threat to resume destruction of national assets less than 48 hours after the President Muhammadu Buhari met with the leadership of the Niger Delta, Ijaw National Congress and the major issues responded to.

However, the Spokesman of The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Ken Robinson while responding to the statement of the Presidency, exclusively told Nigerian NewsDirect that the release by the President shows that the present administration is insensitive, unserious and taking the Niger Delta people for granted.

He said although PANDEF had appealed to the militant group to stay action so that the government won’t use the excuse of the violence to unleash terror in the Niger-Delta, the group frowns at the promise and poor attitude of Buhari’s administration.

“It’s the same repeated promises the administration has been making since 2016 but nothing concrete has been done,” Robinson told Nigerian NewsDirect.

But Adesina in a statement titled, ‘Demands by Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari’s response.’ said the speech by President Buhari when he met with the leadership of the Niger Delta and Ijaw National Congress (INC), at the Presidential Villa has addressed all issues and thereby renders any sabre-rattling rather unnecessary.

The Niger Delta group had threatened to embark on economic sabotage unless certain demands, including the development of the Niger Delta, restructuring and the inauguration of a Board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) are met. Adesina had reproduced the texts of the speech of President Buhari which read thus:

“I warmly welcome all the Elders of the Niger Delta and particularly the National Executive of the Ijaw National Congress, under the leadership of Professor Benjamin Okaba. I thank you for paying this courtesy visit not too long after your election in April, and swearing-in last May.

“I also want to congratulate you all for your election and to add that a lot of responsibility is placed on your shoulders, especially coming from the fact that the Ijaw National Congress was almost without leadership for some time.

“As the symbol of the collective voice of the Ijaw people, which is one of Nigeria’s main ethnic groups, the existence of a focused and people oriented leadership would go a long way in articulating the demands of the Ijaw people and making sure these demands are made part of the national discourse.

“I particularly note your ten-point demand to the Federal Government in your inaugural speech and assure you that this administration is frontally addressing them.

“I am equally concerned about the rate of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta and as you are aware the HydroCarbon Pollution Remediation Project has started work with remediation efforts in Ogoni land and 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.

“Similarly, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) under the same ministry of Environment is working to make sure that oil spills are reduced and new ones prevented. As you are also aware, all the responsible agencies of government have been directed to ensure that they enforce compliance by the International Oil Companies to international best practices.

“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.

“In the same vein, your call for creation of two additional states and more local government areas for the Ijaw people is a legislative matter, which should naturally be handled by the National Assembly and seeking concurrence at the state levels.

“I completely agree with your call to allocate operational licenses for marginal fields to Ijaw people. However, like you know, the process of granting licenses 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 licenses if they qualify.

“On the issue of fair and balanced appointments to reflect federal character principles, I re-affirm that this has always been my focus and would continue to be because I have always seen Nigeria as a country where everyone should be given equal opportunities.

“A contentious issue that has been a subject of discourse amongst the Ijaw people of recent has been the need for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to live up to its billing by delivering the required succour to the people of the region. Based on the mismanagement that had previously be-devilled the NDDC, a forensic audit was set up and the result is expected by the end of July, 2021.

“I want to assure you that as soon as the forensic audit report is submitted and accepted, the NDDC Board would be inaugurated. However, I would like to implore you that the Ijaw National Congress should play a more active role in making sure that the mismanagement that occurred in the past is not repeated.

“I am particularly happy to note your call for promoting ownership of modular refineries by the Ijaw people and 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.

“Furthermore, we have 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.”