Finally, President Buhari Surrenders To Niger Delta Avengers, Begs For Time To Effect Change In The Region
President Muhammadu Buhari, has appealed to the Niger Delta Avengers, a group of militants that bombed oil installations in the region last year, to be patient and remain calm.
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Addressing State House reporters on Monday, after meeting with Buhari, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani, said the President had not reneged on its promises as claimed by the group.
The Minister however stated that, in addition to the directive by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, that N5 billion be budgeted for the take-off of Okerekoko University, the modular refinery projects were also in progress.
“So, it is a matter of patience knowing that some of these things have a procedure. Everything has a phase of planning, and a phase of execution.
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“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”, he said.
The Minister, noted that no group from the region willing to meet with the Federal Government had been rebuffed, saying: “We are not limiting our dialogue or discussions to any particular group.”
He said the government was considering alternative ways of completing the East-West Road, “amidst the many issues that tend to be the undercurrent that is drawing back the execution. And such issues are technical and we are tackling them. In due course, you will know the outcome.”
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