FG ready to meet N/Delta demands – Presidency

The Federal Government is ready to meet demands of agitators in the Niger Delta so as to bring peace and development to the region, a Presidency source told Daily Trust.

A top official in the Presidency disclosed last night that President Muhammadu Buhari administration has decided to "play down" the use of open military tactics and gave firm instructions on this ahead of his instructions to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to visit the region to bring all interests "to the table regardless of parties or any other differing factors or cleavages."

The official, who preferred anonymity, said Buhari's administration also resolved to fully support the Maritime University project in Delta State, saying "Before then, there had been an open disagreement between two ministers from the Niger Delta region on the fate of the university."

He said Buhari also asked Osinbajo to make the oilproducing communities understand that the Federal Government was now interested "in action and would do its own part."

He said Osinbajo was also asked to secure from the communities, a buy-in of peace and collaboration from state governments in the Niger Delta, especially the oil companies.

He said the Federal Government decided that any immediate and reasonable requests of the communities would be earnestly considered to build confidence which all parties could then build upon.

"Some local oil companies were also involved to facilitate the process which then kicked off with the visit of the Vice President to Gbaramatu Kingdom last month even before the President embarked on his vacation to the United Kingdom," the official said.