INSPECTION TOUR OF SOUTH-SOUTH ZONE : FASHOLA PREACHES PEACE AS ONLY VIABLE MEANS TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC RECOVERY, PROSPERITY

* “Everybody wins when there is peace and nobody wins when there is conflict”, he says
* Commends National Assembly, South-South Parliamentarians for support on Infrastructure Development
*Underscores role of FG , Federal Controllers of Works as partners in progress not competitors with States

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN has advocated peace in the country as the only means to achieve the overall development of the country saying in the atmosphere of peace everybody wins while nobody wins in a situation of conflict.

Fashola, who spoke while touring on-going Federal road projects across the five South-South States of the country, said in spite of political and ideological differences, the most important objective of the nation was to develop Nigeria for the benefit of all Nigerians.

NIGER DELTA TO BECOME MORE VIBRANT, DYNAMIC ECONOMIC ZONE SOON– Ag. President Professor Yemi Osinbajo

In continuation of a series of interactive engagements with leaders in oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta region, the Ag. President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo interacted with stakeholders in Rivers State earlier today.

Below is the full text of his address:

SPEECH DELIVERED BY H.E. PROF YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON Ag. PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA TO THE RIVERS STATE OIL-PRODUCING COMMUNITIES STAKEHOLDERS MEETING HELD AT THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE BANQUET HALL, PORT HARCOURT ON 13 FEBRUARY 2017

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Fashola To Companies - Patronise Local Meter Makers, Says Niger Delta Avengers Responsible for Low Power Supply

Minister of Power, Works and Housing Mr, Babatunde Fashola, has urged electricity distribution companies to patronise local meter manufacturers in the quest for mass metering system of their customers across.

At the 6th Power and Stakeholders Monthly Meeting held on Monday in Kano State, North West Nigeria, the Minister said the patronage of local manufacturers would help avoid foreign exchange problem associated with importation of meters.

Mr Fashola stressed that it would greatly save cost if made in Nigeria meters were patronised, pointing out that it is of same quality with the imported ones.

NIGER DELTA AVENGERS: HAS CRUDE OIL BECOME A CURSE? BY NDPM

The NIGER DELTA PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT will not stop talking

After the amalgamation of the Nigerian State in 1914 and the very day crude oil was discovered in a large commercial quantity and quality in the rural community of Oloibiri in present day Bayelsa State of Niger Delta Region: Peaceful co-existence and harmony eluded us. It ushered in violence, inter and intra-Communal conflicts, hate, underdevelopment, poverty, ecological damage, youths restiveness and neglect became normal way of live in the communities where these rare natural resources were deposited by nature.

The NIGER DELTA PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT also observed that, over the years, our resources have been used to sustain the political administrative live wire of Nigeria to the exclusion of the region. It is worthy of note that, Niger Delta witnessed the emergence of very great and prominent sons and daughters, who effortlessly without recourse to violence agitated for regional transformation and human capacity development. They were coordinated, peaceful, wise and had the people's plight as their driving force and source of inspiration.

Niger Delta Avengers attacks NNPC facility, vows to “shock the whole world”

Niger Delta Avengers, the new militant group that has launched multiple attacks on oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta region, has struck yet again. The group announced its latest assault on Friday, saying it blew up a gas and crude trunk line belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in Warri, Delta State, late Thursday.

The Avengers announced the attack via its Twitter handle. The group said that the facility was “heavily guarded” by the Nigerian military, in an apparent attempt to mock the Nigerian armed forces’ capacity to check its activities.

“At 11:45pm on Thursday.@NDAvengers blew up other #NNPC Gas and Crude trunkline close to Warri. Pipeline that was heavily guarded by Military,” the group tweeted.

The spokesman for the joint military task force in the area, Isa Ado, could not be immediately reached for comments, but security sources and residents in the area confirmed the attack.

PRESS RELEASE: Defence Headquarters WARNS THE NEW NIGER DELTA MILITANT GROUP OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTION

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) is not unaware of the emergence of a group in the Niger Delta region who have vowed to cripple economic activities through pipeline vandalism, oil theft and kidnap of expatriate workers in that region; it will not hesitate to deploy every available resources to deal decisively with any threats to economic lifeline of the nation.

The military will employ all available means and measures within its Rule of Engagement to crush any individual or group that engages in the destruction of strategic assets and facilities of the government in the Niger Delta or any other location and they will stand to regret the consequences of their actions.

Osinbajo meets security chiefs, others over Pipeline vandalisation

The Nigerian Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Monday night held a closed door meeting with some stakeholders over the current attacks on pipelines in the Niger Delta region.

He first met with some security chiefs including Navy and Army and the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, and some other government officials.

The Vice President later met separately with Bayelsa State Governor, Sariake Dickson; and the Amayanabo of Toun Brass, Bayelsa State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff.

Niger Delta Avengers blowup Chevron Valve Platform in Warri

The Militants in the Niger Delta region have continued their onslaught on oil installations in the area with the blowing up of the Chevron Valve Platform in Abiteye, Warri North council area of Delta State.

The incident it was gathered occurred at about 10:40pm on Wednesday. Though the company’s Public Affairs Manager, Deji Haastrup, could not be reached for comments on the incident, on official of the Department of Security Services, DSS, who spoke on anonymity, confirmed the incident adding that the platform was totally destroyed with the use of dynamites.

In the name of Nigeria

Is there anybody out there who can talk for these people in authority to listen? Nigeria is gradually grinding to a halt and the price is getting increasingly unbearable. Things are deteriorating fast and fast. They are going out of hand and it appears that the state whose major responsibility is the protection of our lives and property is exhibiting some measure of hopelessness.

Yes, hopelessness because what we see and hear across the country is murder and arson from restive groups and individuals while the state which posses the legitimate coercive apparatuses is fast joining the chanting crowds and is pointing fingers and singing in different tunes reminiscence of evidences of either helplessness pry failure.

What is really happening is the question that millions of our citizens are asking and answers do not seem to be coming from the right quarters.