Sufuyan Ojeifo
1 February 2008
Abuja — Senate President, Senator David Mark has warned militants and their sponsors in the Niger Delta region that the Federal Government would no longer fold its arms and allow criminals undermine the genuine agitation for development in the area.
Mark gave the warning yesterday in his office in Abuja while exchanging views with the visiting United Nations (UN) Under Secretary General, Mr. Ad Melkert.A statement issued by Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Mr. Paul Mumeh quoted Mark to have expressed concern that the genuine agitation by the people of Niger Delta was being derailed by the awful activities of the militants.
According to him, "Government will no longer tolerate criminals terrorising the people of the Niger Delta. There are genuine agitations for development which the Federal Government is trying to address, but the activities of criminals must be handled decisively."
He noted that "such activities are undermining the reputation of Nigeria and giving the nation negative image."Mark reminded the militants and their sponsors that no development could take place in a hostile environment, saying that dialogue remain the best option.
He told his visitors that Nigeria has embraced democracy and would do everything lawful to protect and sustain it, adding that "the National Assembly will be guided by the desires and wishes of the citizenry in order to improve their lots."The Senate President urged the international community to "cooperate with Nigeria in the propagation of democracy now accepted as the best form of government."The statement quoted Mr. Melkert to have said that "the UN views Nigeria as a pivotal nation for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa."Melkert stated that Nigeria must continue to play her key role in the struggle for the development of the continent.He promised that the UN will contribute to the general process of institution building for democracy to be entrenched as a way of life across the globe.He assured that the UN, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), would support the development agenda of the present administration in Nigeria.
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