STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

NIGERIA’S UNITY: PRESIDENT BUHARI COMMENDS IJAW LEADERS, PLEDGES ACTION ON ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday commended the leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) on their recent affirmation of belief in a United Nigeria and supporting the fight against insecurity by developing internal control mechanisms.

The President gave the commendation while receiving the National Executive of INC led by Professor Benjamin Okaba.

He implored the leadership of the association to use its influence ‘‘in making sure that we keep working together to keep this country a united, indivisible entity, so that we can tackle our problems together and overcome our challenges together.’’

The President also used the occasion to address some demands of the association on several issues including environmental degradation, restructuring, creation of states, allocation of operational licenses for marginal fields to Ijaw people, inauguration of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), among others.

On the Hydrocarbon Remediation Project, President Buhari said he had directed the Federal Ministry of Environment to ensure that the remediation efforts in Ogoni are implemented with a high percentage of local content and inclusion of the surrounding communities.

Similarly, the President said the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, under the same ministry of Environment, is working to ensure that oil spills are reduced and new ones prevented while all relevant agencies of government have been directed to ensure that they enforce compliance by the International Oil Companies to international best practices.

Addressing their call for immediate restructuring, the President noted that the National Assembly whose responsibility it is to ensure that the constitution responds to the call for a restructured Nigeria has already concluded regional consultations.

‘‘As soon as they finalise the process, necessary action would not be delayed on my part,’’ he said.

On the creation of two additional states and more local government areas for the Ijaw people, the President said it is a legislative matter, which should naturally be handled by the National Assembly with concurrence at the state levels.

On the allocation of operational licenses for marginal fields to Ijaw people, the President said while he completely agrees with the demand,‘‘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.’’

On NDDC, the President pledged that the Board would be inaugurated as soon as the forensic audit report is submitted and accepted.

‘‘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,’’ he said.

The President also assured the leadership of INC that the completion of the East-West Road remains top on his infrastructure agenda, adding that the occasional disturbances by youths in some communities along the route of construction work would require the close attention and guidance of leaders in the region.

‘‘Furthermore, we have made considerable progress with the construction of the Bonny to Port Harcourt Bridge,’’ he said.

In his remarks, Professor Okaba urged the President to mandate the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to direct the relocation of the headquarters of all oil companies to their operational bases in Ijaw land and the Niger Delta region.

‘‘The excuse of insecurity is no longer tenable for it is common knowledge that nowhere in Nigeria is safer than the other. Secondly, the revamping of the major ports at Onne, Warri, Port Harcourt, Bonny will accelerate economic growth, reduce joblessness, youth criminality and contribute to national unity and stability,’’ he said.

Reaffirming strong faith in the ‘‘overall and mutual benefits of true federalism and resource control to the prosperity and stability of Nigeria,’’ Okaba assured the President that the Ijaws ‘‘have no secessionist agenda.’’

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 24, 2021

Mad man.

It's safe to say Buhari is a unity beggar. He is been looking for who to commend for rejecting Biafra.

Baba, i dare you to conduct a referendum if you believe this old papas represent the voice of the people.

Making sure the circle is completely closed I guess.

The truth is finally out. When I watched arise news and saw one clown sitting alone in front of four pressmen and speaking for "ijaw people", I knew he was another aso rock agent, just like the ibom republic clown. Now here he is visiting his masters.

But I thought this same INC wrote few weeks ago that the Ijaws wants to leave this contraption called Nigeria and get her Niger Delta Republic... Why the change of tongue again

Long live the proposed Ibom Republic.

Long live Biafra

Am happy that biafra have finally do away with ijaw
Biafra here I come

Which of this buhari

Moreover the pictures are photoshop

Na so

INC and Ibom republic "agitators" are aso rock paid clowns, just like tripob and repob.

Shamefully, he couldn't even get any known figure from the area to visit aso rock after they denied his 'dot' statement.

This guy is trying so hard to win south south cz of our oil

These are the people that he said told him that they will deny Igbos access to the sea if there is Biafra.
They have forgotten that it took a lot of sacrifice and courage by Igbos led by Late Prof Dora Akunyili (God rest her soul) to make their son President when General Danbazau and the Cabal where running the country and pretending that terminally ill Yaradua was the person giving the orders.

Igbos have been paying a huge price under Buhari who denied them sensitive appointments and projects because they supported an Ijaw Jonathan against him whom the rest of the country called clueless.

Diette Spiff as military administrator after the war was changing and bastardising the Igbo names of communities in the newly created Rivers state to complicate their identity to the point that confused elements are now tracing their tribes to Benin and Dahomey.

I hope Igbos will start learning how to allow minority tribes who have refused to wise up to sink and allow the Fulanis have them under their armpit, enough of the sacrifices with Igbo blood from backstabbing neighbours who stood aside and watched as millions of Igbo kids starved to death just across their fence.

Igbos should stand aside and allow the Fulanis who control the oil blocks continue to use the proceeds to build railways that connects their cousins in Niger Republic while the Ijaws live in squalor and environmental degradation. The average Ijaw politician won't stand for an Igbo like you did to their son Jonathan know this and know peace.

Some of us think this marriage is a scam
Some of us think Divorce is never an answer

Hmm

Buhari doing everything possible to Romance with the Ijaws.

Ijaws should Remember Bola Tinubu, Buhari is not worth befriending or rubbing minds with.

Interest is all they care about.

Igbos are the only people that can stand by your side, interest or no interest.

Their Loyalty is Unmatched.

We should tell ourselves the truth.

Has Buhari his handlers bought Seun?
This one they have banished themselves to Nairaland from twitter.
Nairaland will become more toxic now

Ok

unity

Buhari is a Terrorist

Ijaw traitors enjoying their shit hole oil producing environmental waste land. They can’t fish because of oil pollution, their farm lands are polluted by oil spills, there is immense poverty in their region, yet they keep screaming one Nigeria. What a sad case.

Them no even read dot again