President Muhammadu Buhari has officially confirmed that his administration is dialoguing with Niger Delta militants, who have recently scaled up their attacks and destruction of oil facilities in the region.
The President disclosed that the negotiations were being handled by oil companies and law enforcement agencies on behalf of the Federal Government – to find a lasting solution to the insecurity and violence in the Niger Delta.
The militants, led by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), have bombed several oil facilities in the region, resulting to a drastic drop in government’s revenue due to reduced crude oil exports, as well as shortages in gas supply to power stations.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa during a farewell audience with Mr. Michael Zinner, the outgoing Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria, Buhari said he was studying the instruments of the Amnesty Programme he inherited from the immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan so as to implement the outstanding commitments.
Buhari said: “We understand their feelings. We are studying the instruments. We have to secure the environment, otherwise investments will not come. We will do our best for the country.”
He used the opportunity to thank the government of Germany for its continuing support for Nigeria’s efforts to tackle insecurity and the on-going rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced persons in the North East zone.
Buhari also thanked Nigeria’s neighbours for their firm support for the war against terror.
Zinner stated that bilateral relations between Nigeria and Germany “had improved significantly in the last 12 months of this administration.”
He expressed the readiness of Germany to assist Nigeria in the reconstruction of the North East and rehabilitation of displaced persons so that they can return to their villages.
Zinner also expressed the eagerness of German businesses to invest in the country, now that “conditions for investment have been put in place” while reiterating the standing invitation of Chancellor Angela Merkel to Buhari to visit Germany.
SOURCE:AUTHORITY NEWSPAPER
