Pacify your people, Buhari tells Niger Delta leaders •Promises to rebuild region, fulfill Amnesty commitments

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has called on leaders of the Niger Delta region to appeal to their people to be patient, promising that his administration will rebuild the region.

Receiving a delegation of Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact Group, led by His Royal Highness, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, Bayelsa State, at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, he stressed his administration’s commitment to rebuilding Nigeria, including the Niger Delta region, and therefore, solicited patience and understanding from the citizenry.

He had, last week, made a similar appeal to people in the region to cease the vandalism of oil and gas assets over which, he said, he was agonising.

Buhari pledged that under his watch Nigeria would witness judicious utilisation of resources.

He used the occasion of his audience with the group to reiterate his appeal to those who perpetrate violence to embrace peace and give government a chance.

He said: “We intend to rebuild this country; so that our children and grand-children will have a good place they can call their own. A lot of damage has been done, so I want you to tell the people to be patient.

“When you get together with other leaders, please pacify the people. We will utilise the resources of Nigeria with integrity and rebuild the country.”

The president said the gazette on the Niger Delta amnesty programme by the Umaru Yar’Adua administration was being studied with a view to determining what had been fulfilled, promising that whatever was left would equally be addressed.

“I want to get as much intelligence as possible on the situation in the Niger Delta. I have encouraged law enforcement agencies to contact leaders like you, in order to have enough information to deal with the issues once and for all, “the president said.

He sympathised with investors who borrowed lots of money to invest in the Niger Delta region and had not recouped their investments due to insecurity.

The leader of the group, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, said the group was made of peace builders, dedicated to peace and stability in the region.