I WILL DEAL WITH NIGER DELTA MILITANTS - BUHARI
President Muhammadu Buhari,
yesterday, warned Niger Delta militants that they could not continue to hold
Nigeria to ransom.
Buhari also said his administration
was working hard to reposition Nigeria for prosperity, urging Nigerians not to
be deterred by the current economic crisis, which, according to him, will not
last.
The President, who recalled his
promises during his campaigns as a presidential candidate, stated that he would
not deviate from the hallmark of transparency and honesty.
The remarks were contained in his
broadcast to commemorate the 56th independence anniversary of Nigeria.
Buhari’s warning to the militants in
the oil-rich region came barely one week after the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA)
resumed hostilities following several weeks of ceasefire to facilitate dialogue
on issues in the area. The speech He began:
“Today – 1st October is a day of
celebration for us Nigerians. On this day, 56 years ago, our people achieved
the most important of all human desires – freedom and independence. We should
all, therefore, give thanks and pray for our founding fathers without whose
efforts and toil we would not reap the bounties of today.
“I know that uppermost in your minds
today is the economic crisis. The recession for many individuals and families
is real.
For some It means not being able to
pay school fees, for others it’s not being able to afford the high cost of food
(rice and millet) or the high cost of local or international travel, and for
many of our young people the recession means joblessness, sometimes after
graduating from university or polytechnic.
“I know how difficult things are,
and how rough business is.
All my adult life I have always
earned a salary and I know what it is like when your salary simply is not
enough. In every part of our nation people are making incredible sacrifices”.
Reflecting on his motive for running
for the presidency, Buhari said: “But let me say to all Nigerians today, I ran
for office four times to make the point that we can rule this nation with
honesty and transparency, that we can stop the stealing of Nigeria’s resources
so that the resources could be used to provide jobs for our young people,
security, infrastructure for commerce, education and healthcare. “I ran for
office because I know that good government is the only way to ensure prosperity
and abundance for all. I remain resolutely committed to this objective.
“I believe that this recession will
not last.” ‘We have crushed Boko Haram’ Highlighting his achievements in almost
one and a half years of his government, the President said he placed security
ahead of every other thing, saying the terror group Boko Haram, had been
defeated.
“Temporary problems should not blind or divert
us from the corrective course this government has charted for our nation.
We have identified the country’s
salient problems and we are working hard at lasting solutions”, he stated.
“To re-cap what I have been saying
since the inception of this administration, our problems are security,
corruption and the economy, especially unemployment and the alarming level of
poverty. “On security, we have made progress.
Boko Haram was defeated by last
December – only resorting to cowardly attacks on soft targets, killing innocent
men, women and children. “Nigerians should thank our gallant men of the Armed
Forces and Police for rescuing large areas of the country captured by
insurgents.
Now, residents in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa
States, as well as several neighbouring states go about their daily business in
relative safety.
People can go to mosques, churches,
market places in reasonable safety. “Commuters can travel between cities, towns
and villages without fear. Credit for this remarkable turn-round should go to
our Armed Forces, the Police, various sponsored and private vigilante groups,
the local traditional leaders.
Security is a top to bottom concern
and responsibility. “Besides Boko Haram, we are confronting other long-running
security issues, namely herdsmen vs farmers, cattle rustling, kidnappings.
This administration is firmly
resolved to tackle these challenges and to defeat them.”
`I will deal with Niger-Delta
militants’ On the attacks on oil and gas installations in the Niger-Delta,
Buhari vowed to crush militants.
The President said: A new insurgency
has reared up its head in the shape of blowing up gas and oil pipelines by
groups of Niger Delta Militants.
This administration will not allow these
mindless groups to hold the country to ransom.
“What sense is there to damage a gas
line as a result of which many towns in the country including their own town or
village is put in darkness as a result?
What logic is there in blowing up an
export pipeline and as a result income to your state and local governments and
consequently their ability to provide services to your own people is reduced? Read more
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