By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Leaders and stakeholders from the Niger Delta, who met with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, have listed 16 issues the Federal Government must tackle to ensure peace is restored in the region.
During the meeting, the Niger Delta representatives, led by Mr Edwin Clark, commended President Buhari’s peace move, assuring him that all would be done to restore stability in that part of Nigeria.
However, the leaders told the President that the government should look into the 16 conditions part of which is to allocate oil blocs to Niger Delta indigenes.
Also listed are infrastructure needs, strengthening of institutions like the NDDC, award of pipeline contracts, matters of fiscal federalism and others.
Reacting, President Buhari promised to look into the issues raised, noting that “we are also currently reviewing the implementation of the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme, to determine the shortcomings, and areas for reform.”
He said, “Nigeria cannot thrive if any part of it is trapped in conflict and violence. We have to give peace a chance in the Niger Delta.”
Mr Buhari, however, told the leaders that they have more to do than anyone else to bring peace to the Niger Delta, given the influence they have on militant groups.
“When there is peace, we will all benefit. Nobody will invest in an insecure environment. We must cooperate to make Nigeria work for all of us,” he said.
Adedapo Adesanya