THE Federal Government 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.

Addressing State House reporters Monday, November 6, after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, Usani Uguru Usani, the minister of Niger Delta Affairs, said the government had not reneged on its promises as claimed by the group.

The group had Friday, November 3, accused the Federal Government of not being sincere with its promises and threatened to resume hostilities.

The minister said in addition to the directive by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo that N5bn be budgeted for the take-off of Okerekoko University, the modular refinery projects were also in progress.

“So, it’s a matter of patience knowing that some of these things have a procedure. Everything has a phase of planning and a phase of execution.

“We’re glad so far that all parties have listened to one another–government, Avengers, elders and so on. We’d 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 meeting with the federal government had been rebuffed, saying “We’re 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 are drawing back the execution. And such issues are technical and we’re tackling them. In due course, you’ll know the outcome.”

–  Nov 6, 2017 @ 18:10 GMT |