The Presidency yesterday hinted that ministers from the Niger Delta region and governors in the South-South states were holding discussions with the Niger Delta Avengers on how to end the group’s attacks on oil installations in the area.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, gave the hint in a chat with newsmen in Abuja.
Enang said: “The Minister of Niger Delta, the Minister of Interior and the Coordinator of the Amnesty Office have been taking actions consistent with their powers.
“Almost all the ministers and officials from the Niger Delta region have returned to their respective states, their respective zones and their respective blocks to talk to their leaders and their aggrieved persons on the need for us to maintain peace.
“That is going on and they are the representatives of Mr. President. So, I will not tell you what Mr President wants to do in person but these are officers and offices which are dealing on this matter.
“What I know they have done, which some of us are involved in doing by virtue of coming from that zone and by virtue of working with them, is telling our people that the economy of the country is bleeding and the nation is hemorrhaging.
“That we cannot, given the low price of oil, go on certain actions that will further reduce the earnings of Nigeria. We have lost earnings in terms of price; we shouldn’t lose earnings in terms of production.
“I am sure that you are aware that we budgeted 2.2 million barrels per day and production few weeks ago lowered to 1.4 million per day and it is climbing to 1.6 and 1.7 million barrels per day and that is capable of affecting the money expected from oil.
“These are the things we are preaching to our people and preaching to the governors of our respective states.
“The Minister of Niger Delta, the Amnesty Office, the Minister of Interior are all carrying these messages to the governors that they should stand up and work and not sit down and watch