Niger Delta leaders present 16-point request to Buhari; see his reaction (photos)

President Buhari met with Niger Delta leaders at the state house in buja – The Edwin Clark-led group presented a 16-point request – The president welcomed the request and said the amnesty report will also be implemented President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed the 16-ponit requests presented by leaders from the Niger Delta region. The president met with the leaders from the region at the state house on Tuesday, November 1 to discuss the issue of militancy and security in the Niger Delta region. In a statement by Garba Shehu who is the senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, President Buhari noted that the unity and progress of the country was important as peace, security, investment and prosperity are linked together, adding that “if we give peace a chance, investors will come here to invest. Nobody will invest in an insecure environment”.

Buhari noted that things were difficult due to the collapse of oil prices, inability of 27 of the 36 states of the Federation to pay salaries and absence of savings to fall back on. The president welcomed the 16-point requests presented by the Niger Delta leaders led by Chief Edwin Clark and added that he was also expecting reports from officials he had instructed to review the implementation of the Amnesty program to determine where government fell short so that amends can be made.

He also said that service chiefs were putting together their own assessment of the militancy situation, saying “when I have these reports, including this one (just presented), we will revisit the situation (in the region) to ensure that we succeed this time.” He urged the leaders from the region to do more in term of ensuring peace. “We are determined to make life comfortable and affordable to all Nigerians. If anybody has a country to go to, let him go, we will stay here and salvage our country.” He said: “Please Your Excellencies, Your Majesties, Distinguished ladies and gentlemen; we all have our individual constituencies. Let us try to pacify our constituencies. Let us first recover our country, secure the country and let us invite people who will invest. Let us create jobs for our people and let us be accountable to our people where we are sitting on treasuries, whether it is local government, state or the center. We should ensure that we rebuild this country. Nobody wants to fail. So, the only way out is, if people understand and believe that we are doing our best at all levels, then we will have some peace. But it they have reason to doubt our performance and sincerity, then we will have problem”.

Some of the requests made by the Clark-led team include the completion of major road projects in the region, the take-off of the maritime university, the full activation of ports in Niger Delta and other water ways, the relocation of international oil companies to the region, the issuance of oil blocks to the states and other stakeholders as well as the strengthening of the Niger Delta Development Commission and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. They also spoke about the issue of fiscal federalism.

The Niger Delta leaders declared total support for the administration of President Buhari and expressed total commitment to the unity, peace and stability of the country, At the meeting were the vice president, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir David Lawal. Representatives of military chief as well as some ministers were also at the meeting.