ABUJA — ON the occasion of Nigeria’s 44th Independence Anniversary, President Olusegun Obasanjo confirmed this morning that his government had been in dialogue with those he called “rascally elements from the Niger Delta” in the effort to ensure peace in the country. This was a veiled reference to talks with Ijaw warlord, Muhajid Dokubo-Asari, who flew into Abuja on Wednesday from his base in Rivers State.
The president who spoke in a nationwide broadcast also said steps were being taken to cushion the effects of the latest hike in fuel prices.
Reviewing the state of the nation especially since his assumption of office, President Obasanjo said: “Most of the opposition movements that were active in 1999 have adopted democratic options in articulating and pressing their demands. We are talking to those I described as rascally elements from the Niger Delta in the effort to open lines of dialogue and peace as they feel aggrieved by their state authorities. I can assure you that a rapproachment is taking place and that peace, stability and harmony will return to the Niger Delta.”
But he also called for an end to “violence, indiscipline, arrogance, intolerance and a fixation on subverting due process and the rule of law.” He said “rascality and vandalism which are rapidly becoming the hallmark of the Niger Delta have implications for the production, distribution and pricing of crude oil; for our global economic rating; for investor confidence in our economic; and for overall resources available to support growth and development.”
Government, he vowed, would not tolerate in any way or form, any act that would mortgage or compromise the interest of the majority. Accordingly, government is taking appropriate steps to stem the tide of undue militancy and we are confident that reason and the law will prevail.
“We surely have cause to be thankful to God. We have been through rough and tough times. As we try to retrace our steps and reposition our political economy for progress in an increasingly complex and competitive world, we must, in all humility, realise the blessings that we have enjoyed over the years. In spite of some tribulations here and there, we have been spared some of the horrendous experiences and attendant agonies that have plagued some nations. We are steadily recovering from our past errors and transgressions as we experience a renewed status in the international community, unprecedented growth in industry and agriculture, and successes in telecommunications, power and energy, industry, commerce, and health.
“Sustainable development is possible in Nigeria if we all put our hearts and minds to doing things the right way at all times in the interest of our people and country. The 13 per cent special allocation to the Niger Delta on the basis of derivation, which now extends to the offshore, is meant to deal with the recognised and acknowledged situation of the Niger Delta. The obvious assessment so far is that not much impact has been made on the lives and living standards of most ordinary people of the Niger Delta. In the interest of security and stability of the Niger Delta in particular and of Nigeria in general, I appeal to those elected officials of the region whose efforts have not measured up to expectations, to endeavour to be seen to be more alive to their responsibilities and the plight of the people they are elected to govern.
“There have recently been some unease about the full deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry. Government is fully aware and sensitive to these feelings of unease. We do understand your hopes, dreams and needs. The decisions taken by government have been taken out of love and out of concern for our future not out of insensitivity or sadism. Let me assure you that we are doing everything to cushion the impact of these policies so that Nigerians would not have to suffer where it is avoidable. In the specific area of deregulation of the downstream sector, the Federal Government has set up a committee chaired by the Honourable Minister of Finance to consider what cushioning measures can be taken to alleviate or moderate the pressures without compromising the goals of our reform. I hope that the committee will submit its report for inclusion in the 2005 budget that will be presented to the National Assembly in the first half of October 2004.
“There is a time in the history of every nation for reflection, forgiveness, unity and collective rededication to a positive future. We have been through a lot but let us look inwards. Let us look at our history, our communities, our families and ourselves. Let us seek answers to whether we are doing the right things before man and God individually and collectively and let us work hard so that history and our Creator will be kind to us. As we celebrate this 44th independence anniversary on a low key, let us pray for our country, colleagues, friends, and families; and let us recommit ourselves to the collective effort to build a strong, productive, corruption-free, God-fearing and democratic Nigeria.”
