Over recent months, the NDA has stepped up its militancy in the Niger Delta, blowing up oil installations and pipelines and talks have been planned between them and the government. However, the NDA has expressed a reluctance to negotiate with the government until certain conditions are met.
Now vice president Professor Yemi Osinbajo said the government too is wary of the NDA because they are not freedom fighters but economic warriors who are fighting for their own private pockets. Professor Osinbajo who delivered the second foundation lecture of Elizade University, Ilaramokin, Ondo State entitled The Future is Here Earlier Than We Thought, declared that the so-called avengers are fighting for their own economic benefits.
Over the last few days, the NDA blew up three more trunk lines in Bayelsa and Rivers states, indicating that they mean business. Residents of over 75 riverine communities in Delta State have cried out over the pollution of their environment by the activities of the NDA and other militant groups.
Professor Osinbajo said: "They are avenging for their private pocket and that is why government is not talking with them. The previous government neglected the region for several years, hence the current challenges in the region but the federal government has, however, put machinery in motion to curtail the activities of Niger Delta Avengers.”
He also lamented that the activities of the avengers were responsible for the epileptic power supply in the country as well as the inability of state governors to pay workers’ salaries due to the low revenue generated in the oil sector as a result of the attack on pipelines. Yesterday, the NDA vowed to step up its attacks, even if the federal government hires mercenaries to confront it.
Comments
Post a Comment