With new attacks happening everyday on major oil installations in Nigeria, the Federal Government has now made moves to curb the issue.
According to reports, The National Security Adviser, Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd)., Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu, Niger Delta Minister, Pastor Uguru Usani Uguru and the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh, (Rtd) met with over 50 militant leaders at the Transcorp Hilton hotel in Abuja in hopes that succesful talks could be carried out.
Edo State governor Adams Oshiomole was also present but only briefly as he left after addressing the people present.
The entire discussion bordered on the fostering of peace in the Noger Delta as the militants were urged to drop their arms and resolve issues in a more peaceful manner.
The federal government team assured that the grievances of the Niger Delta people were being addressed and things were being put in place to better their lives including the Calabar-Lagos Coastal Railway which is already captured in this year’s budget.
The State Minister for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu took the floor and urged the militants to stop the violence as the continued bombings were only at the detriment of the entire nation.
He said “Nobody benefits from any destruction and we need to stop anything that can lead to the destruction of lives and the environment,”
“The Federal Government will continue to take steps to ensure that the issues agitating the minds of the people are genuinely addressed for the overall interest of all.”