President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday, reacted to the fresh threat by the Niger Delta Avengers to resume hostilities in the oil-rich region.
NDA had in a statement on Saturday accused the Federal Government of failing to meet its demands, announcing its launch of “Operation Humble and vowing to attack oil installations and politicians.
The group had threatened to sabotage the nation’s economy unless certain demands, including the development of the Niger Delta and restructuring, were met.
The militant group also passed a no-confidence vote on the Chief Edwin Clark-led Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
But President Buhari in a statement, on Sunday, by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, titled, ’Demands by Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari’s response,’ said it was curious that the Niger Delta Avengers issued threats to resume bombing of critical oil and gas installations less than 48 hours after he held a meeting with the leadership of the Niger Delta and Ijaw National Congress, where the major issues were addressed.
According to Adesina, the text of Buhari’s speech at the meeting with the Niger Delta leaders on Friday, which he reproduced in his press statement, has rendered the threats by the NDA militants unnecessary.
The President’s statement read, “The media was Sunday awash with threats and demands by a group, Niger Delta Avengers, 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.
“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, 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.
“For clarity and record purposes, below is full text of the speech by President Buhari on Friday, June 25, 2021, which renders any sabre-rattling rather unnecessary.”
Buhari told his guests, according to the reproduced text, that he was aware of the 10-point demand which the Ijaw National Congress Executive made to the Federal Government, assuring them that his administration was already addressing them.
President Buhari also told them he was concerned about the problem of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta, disclosing that the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project had started work in Ogoni land.
He said he had 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, adding that the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, under the same ministry, is working to make sure that oil spills are reduced and new ones prevented.
The President stated that all the responsible agencies of government have been directed to ensure that they enforce compliance by the International Oil Companies to international best practices.
On their demand for restructuring, Buhari had said, “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 the 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 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.”
Concerning fair and balanced appointments to reflect federal character principles, the President said, “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.”
The President, however, said 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 to live up to its billing by delivering the required succour to the people of the region.
He stated that based on the mismanagement of the NDDC, a forensic audit was set up and the result is expected by the end of July 2021.
Buhari added, “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 actualise 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.”