Abuja—More details about the meeting between President Mohammadu Buhari and a delegation of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) led by its President, Professor Benjamin Okaba on Thursday have emerged.
A press statement by the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari (Media & Publicity), Garba Shehu, said the President commended the INC for their belief in a united Nigeria.
Buhari charged the INC to “keep working together to keep this country a united, indivisible entity, so that we can tackle our problems together and overcome our challenges together.”
Addressing the challenges and concerns of the Ijaw people, President Buhari, said he has directed the Ministry of Environment and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), to prevent and reduce oil spills from occurring in the Niger Delta and Ijaw communities.
On restructuring, he said the National Assembly which is responsible for its implementation has already concluded regional consultations.
“As soon as they finalise the process, necessary action would not be delayed on my part,”he reiterated.
On INC’s demand for the creation of Oil Rivers and Toru Ebe states, the President explained that it is the duty of the national assembly to create states.
“The process of granting licenses is guided by laid down rules and regulations, most of which even favour local content and local contractors. I see no reason why they should not be granted such licenses if they qualify,” he added.
Speaking on the challenges plaguing the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the President said that “a contentious issue that has been a subject of discourse amongst the Ijaw people of recent has been the need for the Niger Delta Development Commission to live up to its billing by delivering the required succor to the people of the region.
“Based on the mismanagement that had previously bedeviled the NDDC, a forensic audit was set up and the result is expected by the end of July, 2021.
“I want to assure you that as soon as the forensic audit report is submitted and accepted, the NDDC Board will be inaugurated.
“However, I would like to implore you that the Ijaw National Congress should play a more active role in making sure that the mismanagement that occurred in the past is not repeated.”
