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We’ll not abandon Niger
Delta to bandits-- Obasanjo
President Olusegun Obasanjo has assured the international community and
concerned Nigerians that the government would not abandon the Niger Delta to
bandits.
The president was speaking to the new Italian ambassador to Nigeria, Mr.
Massimo Baistrocchi, one of the three new ambassadors to Nigeria, who
presented their credentials at State House, yesterday.
He said “we will do as much as possible to save lives, but we will not
abandon the area to bandits”.
President Obasanjo said the Administration had used a combination of “carrot
and stick” to address issues in the Niger Delta, but added that it would not
tolerate lawlessness.
The President also assured the Italian ambassador that the reforms had been
accepted enough by majority of Nigerians, and was entrenched through
legislation to continue after May, 2007.
“After initial protests due to the inevitable pains, Nigerians have realised
the benefits of the reforms and we have put in place human structures to
continue, while legislation has been provided to keep the reforms going”, he
stated.
Earlier, the new Italian ambassador had expressed concern about the
situation in Niger Delta, where an Italian national was injured, and the
prospects for the Administration’s national reforms after May, 2007.
During separate ceremonies, President Obasanjo told the new ambassadors of
Iran and Cuba, Mr. Khosro Rezazadeh and Mr. Elio Savon Oliva to do their
best to improve economic relations with Nigeria during their tenures.
He wished them a successful stay in Nigeria.
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER
25 2006