Enang Urges Niger Delta Youth to Drop Arms
*Seeks establishment of North East Commission
By Okon Bassey in Uyo
Feeling concerned about the negative impact created by the militants in the Niger Delta region, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly (Senate Matters), Senatorc, has persuaded youths in the region drop restiveness.
Speaking in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, at the weekend, the Presidential aide also stressed the need for Nigerians to support the constitution of the proposed North East Commission.
Enang, who fielded questions from journalists, pleaded with various groups fighting against the interest of government in the Niger Delta region to stop further attacks on government property.
The Federal Government, he said, was prepared for a round-table discussion and iron out the grievances of agitators.
“I want to plead with the people of South-South and Akwa Ibom, especially the youths, the ex-militants, the Niger Delta Avengers and other persons who are in one way or the other fighting for the welfare of the people in their opinion, who are in one way or the other doing something that constitutes a crime to please withdraw from the creeks and stop destroying and damaging pipelines.
“They should lay down arms, should stop targeting refineries, oil installations, gas pipelines used in producing oil l, and oil workers.
“I want to say that it is in the interest of the people of South-South and Nigeria to do this. The Federal government is listening and watching and working our modalities to meet the demands of these persons.
“I want to make passionate and humble appeal to all of them to please withdraw, lay down arms and come to the table, let us find out what it is, government would not act in the manner people are suspecting as it would not take steps that is detrimental to the development of the area.
“Nigeria economy is bleeding, as you blow up one pipeline, gas pipeline or you destroy one flow station or refine flow line or shut down transport line, the vein of Nigeria economy is punctured and this is challenging the budget and almost very difficult to achieve the target of the budget”, he said.
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