OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

PRESS RELEASE:

NIGER DELTA PIPELINE VANDALISM:
NOBODY ELSE IN THE WORLD WILL DESTROY FACILITIES MEANT TO HELP THEM—VP OSINBAJO

*On talks with leaders from the region, says President will keep his word

*Leaders of Thought from Delta State Condemn destruction of oil installations

*FG ready with counterpart funding for railway projects with China

The damaging of pipelines and oil installations in the Niger Delta is a destruction of facilities meant to help the people of the region, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has reiterated.

Speaking today while receiving a delegation of Urhobo leaders at the Presidential Villa, Prof. Osinbajo lamented that “so much damage is being done, governments will come and go, but this damages will ultimately destroy people’s livelihoods, aspirations and their future.”

“Nobody else anywhere in the world will destroy the facilities meant to help them, there is no benefit whatsoever from the destruction,” the Vice President continued.

While maintaining that the Buhari administration would continue its outreach to leaders and groups in the Niger Delta in seeking peaceful solution to the crisis, Vice President Osinbajo called for understanding, especially on the part of the leaders of the region stressing that destruction and damage “does not lead to anything good.”

Regarding the opened channels of communication and negotiation with the Niger Delta leaders and representatives, the Vice President assured that President Muhammadu Buhari has shown exemplary leadership and is someone that can be trusted once he gives his word.

“He is quiet, but fiercely determined, once he makes up his mind and gives his word,” the VP observed encouraging the Niger Delta people to work with the President.

Welcoming the delegation from the Urhobo Leaders of Thought led by its president, Chief Tuesday Onoge and the APC’s Gubernatorial Candidate in the 2015 elections, Olorogun Ortega Emerhor, Prof. Osinbajo commended the leadership and understanding of the Urhobo Leaders of Thought.

Earlier in his comments, Chief Onoge lamented that if the money sent to the Niger Delta in the last 16 years were judiciously spent, the people of the region would have benefitted. He then asked rhetorically “What happened to this monies?

Pledging support to the Federal Government, the leader of the delegation said the group condemns the vandalisation of oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta in its entirety and offered to assist in furthering peace in the area. He also stated that the group supported the anti-corruption efforts of the Buhari administration.

Meanwhile, the Vice President also disclosed today that the Federal Government is ready with the counterpart funding for the designated railway constructions: Lagos-Kano and Calabar-Lagos lines.

He spoke during a courtesy call on him by the new Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Zhou Pingjian, where he said the relationship between Nigeria and China is getting stronger and strategic. The Chinese envoy in his remarks said trade between both countries has increased and described Nigeria as “giant of Africa.”

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
November 22, 2016