Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Usani Uguru said yesterday that the Federal Government was sincere about providing sustainable development in the Niger Delta.
Usani, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said the government would not play politics with the issues affecting the region.
He said: “President Muhammadu Buhari has assured us that this administration has not abdicated its responsibility to deliver on the hopes of your democratic mandate.
“This administration has demonstrated a sincere resolve to take politics and governance as two concepts, and in so doing, we have decided not to play politics with the things that matter most to our progress as a nation.
“Because of that resolve, we have been condemned by the actors and their admirers, who almost plunged our collective socio-economic fortunes into the abyss.”
The minister said government’s intervention in segments of national life was an indication that its approach had a national orientation.
He assured the people that their expectations were not misplaced, adding that they were understood and respected by the government.
Usani said agitations for better conditions of living in the region were not misplaced, adding that they were necessary and real.
He urged the people to be patient in their demands.
“Please don’t lose patience in the strategies we are employing to move the Niger Delta and this country forward.
“This administration will not trade-off the public socio-economic space and the very essence of our heritage for anything, neither will we mortgage the country’s economic future.”
The minister said Nigeria was on the path to greatness and stood as the beacon of hope for Africans.
His words: “I’m inspired by the success stories of Singapore and South Korea. This administration is working hard towards such success story.
“Please be patient in the face of difficulties. It will soon be dawn because with empathy, vision and the fear of God, we are making life-long commitments in leading you.”