Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani, on Monday said the Buhari-led Federal Government will not play politics but will be sincere about providing sustainable development to the Niger Delta region.
Usani in an interview with the newsmen in Abuja said that the government would not play politics with issues affecting the region and its people.
“President Buhari has assured us that this federal government 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 different 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,” he said
The minister said that government’s intervention in various segments of national life was an indication that its approach had a national orientation.
He assured the people of the region that their high 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, but urged the people to exercise more patience in pushing 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 Nigeria’s economic future,” the minister said.
Usani said Nigeria was on the path to greatness and stands as the beacon of hope to the people of Africa.
“I am inspired by the the success stories of Singapore and South Korea and this administration is working very hard towards such success story.
“Please be patient in the face of the present difficulties; it will soon be dawn because with empathy, vision and the fear of God, we are making life-long commitments in leading you.”