SAN FRANCISCO, June 01, (THEWILL) – Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole and Elders in the Niger Delta region, on Wednesday, spoke against activities of the Niger Delta Avengers militant group that had been blowing up oil pipelines and facilities in the region.
Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Buhari, Oshiomhole stressed that the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable adding that the destruction of installations by NDA is scaring away investors to the detriment of the region.
“So if somebody for whatever reasons decide to destroy pipelines and thereby compounding the problem of pollution, the cost of cleaning up that area making it attractive either for fishing, farming or other business is a huge cost,” he said.
“Cost not just naira and kobo, but in terms of time and human lives. So it doesn’t bring us closer, I think all of us ought to converge around a common idea and fashion out how we should ensure this natural endowment to be truly a blessing.
“But to compound those problems by breaking pipelines, stealing crude oil and destroying farmlands and water ways, I don’t see anybody benefiting from that.”
In related development, the Elders, under the aegis of the Concerned Niger Delta Leaders (CNDL) at a media briefing, in Abuja, on Wednesday, also flayed the destructive actions of the militants.
According to them, the militants were sabotaging sincere efforts by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to bring speedy growth and development to the region and accused the militants of criminality against the Nigerian state and humanity in general.
“We have for some time now, watched with utmost dismay the manner in which the Niger Delta Avengers, a group with an aimless agenda has been destroying our common heritage and the economic mainstay of the country through vandalisation of critical government infrastructure and oil installations,” the Coordinator of the group, Chief Mike Loyibo, said.
“The activities of the Niger Delta Avengers also threaten the non-negotiable unity of Nigeria to its very foundation and this must be roundly condemned by all well-meaning stakeholders.”
