UNEP Report implementation: Rivers APC lauds President Buhari's momentous decision

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari on what it describes as the “several immediate actions” to fast-track the long delayed implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Report on the environmental restoration of Ogoniland.

The APC made the commendation in a press statement signed by the party’s State Pubilicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Finebone.

The statement reads:

“Wednesday, August 5, 2015 President Muhammadu Buhari approved and directed several immediate actions to fast-track the long delayed implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Report on the environmental restoration of Ogoniland.

“The reaction of Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, is that this is a confirmation of our earlier position that President Muhammadu Buhari means well for the Niger Delta as a whole and Ogoniland in particular. It further gives credence to the saying that a good friend is by far better than a bad brother.

“For 6 years that President Goodluck Jonathan was in the saddle as President of Nigeria with full executive powers, he blatantly ignored the UNEP Report for the cleaning of Ogoniland. He carried on as if Ogoniland was not part of the Niger Delta. But today, just 68 days into his administration, President Muhammadu Buhari has demonstrated that with strong will, love and honesty of purpose, nothing is impossible to achieve.

“It further goes to show that the modest contribution to the development of the Niger Delta so far had been championed by those outside of the region. Such efforts include the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission [NDDC] by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Ministry of Niger Delta midwifed by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua of blessed memory.

“Most significantly, the development underscores and justifies the purposeful and visionary leadership of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Senator Magnus Abe, Dr. Dakuku Peterside and all those who staked everything to ensure that our people belong to the main stream of Nigerian politics of the present era.

“The APC is convinced that history will generously accord pride of place to President Muhammadu Buhari and our courageous and visionary leaders whose audacious decision to lead us into the APC has now brought succour to Ogoniland, just as it will bring to the entire Niger Delta.

“We most profoundly thank Mr. President for this invaluable and inestimable gesture”.

By Nwaorgu Faustinus