Buhari has reassured Nigerians of his commitment to secure the mainstay of the Nigerian economy which is currently being strained by the Niger Delta Avengers.
Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that he would do everything necessary to secure oil facilities and other government assets in the Niger Delta region.
The president gave the assurance during the democracy day lecture organised yesterday being Tuesday in Abuja by the Save Democracy Group Africa, to mark the 2016 democracy day.
The theme of the lecture is, the Change Agenda and Sustenance of Nigerian Democracy. The President was represented by Secretary to Government of the Federation Babachir David Lawal.
He said while his government would not shy away from finding non-military solution to the vandalism and destruction of oil facilities in the country, it would not succumb to intimidation and blackmail by any criminal element.
“You will agree with me that two major reasons why our economy is in such a deplorable condition is the slump in crude oil prices.
“It is also due to decline in production as a result of the recent upsurge in activities of criminals and saboteurs in the oil producing region.
“While the control of the selling price of our crude oil is not solely in our hands, the challenge of militancy, criminality and vandalism is solely within our control.
“I therefore wish to restate that I have directed all the nation’s security outfits to take all steps necessary to secure the oil facilities and other government assets in the Niger Delta region.
“While our doors are open to dialogue, political and non-military solution on the matter, this government will not succumb to intimidation and blackmail by criminal element, coming to inflict further unnecessary social and economic hardship on the citizens."
He urged the perpetrators to desist from the act or face the consequences. On insecurity in the North East as well as herdsmen and farmers clashes across the country, the President assured that it would not rest on its oars in finding lasting solution to the problems.