Acting President Jonathan says the Federal Government is committed to Niger Delta development

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta (MEND), has been condemned for detonating two bombs outside the Delta State Government House of Nigeria during the Post Amnesty Dialogue.

The Monday blasts were the first attacks since MEND called off a cease-fire with the government in January.

“We hereby condemn the action in the strongest terms and continue to stand on the path of a nonviolent approach at resolving the lingering Niger Delta quagmire. We must continue to encourage dialogue and discussions whilst we stand up in condemnation against any group(s) or person(s) trying to disrupt any gathering and portray the good and peaceful loving people of the Niger Delta in bad light,” said Comrade Sunny Ofehe, President of Hope for Niger Delta Campaign, The Netherlands.

“We appeal to all those who are planning any future attacks in the name of the Niger Delta struggle to please desist from such actions and join the boat of reasoning sailing towards a sustainable and an enduring tranquillity,” Mr. Ofehe added.

Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan said his administration would not succumb to blackmail and intimidation. In a statement signed by his Information Commissioner, Oma Djebah, the Governor said that: "The peoples of the Niger Delta will not be intimidated nor deterred by the cowardly act of a few opposed to a peaceful and non-violent approach of resolving the historic grievances of the region.

"We also assure all that we will not be deterred in our determination to fast-track the development of our people."

The Federal Government expressed total commitment to pursuing its post-amnesty programmes for the development of the Niger Delta region.

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan urged the Niger Delta people as well as indigenous and foreign companies operating in the area to be patient with the Government, as it will leave no stone unturned in engendering enduring infrastructural and social development in the region.

The Government also promised to address the challenges of doing business in the area.

Dr. Jonathan said: “We are on top of the situation in the Niger Delta. The problems in the region, being human and development-related, are such that require time to be addressed. I encourage the Niger Delta people and major companies in the region to keep faith with Government, as we are determined to reinvigorate post-amnesty plans and programmes for the region.”

The Acting President also expressed the Government’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in the oil-rich region.

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