Niger Delta is a priority – President Yar’adua
By
Jun 4, 2007, 09:29

President Umaru Musa Yar’adua has said he will regard the resolution of the Niger Delta crisis a national priority.

The President made the pledge when he received United States’ Senator Bill Nelson at the State House June 2.

Click here for pictures of the meeting.

“I will make the Niger Delta region a national priority. I believe the region is strategic to our survival as a nation, and we must make it secure.”

To achieve this, President Yar’adua said He would invite all stakeholders in the region to work out a plan of action, which will be endorsed and adopted by the National Assembly, committing the nation to its implementation.

Expressing concerns on the Nigerian electoral system, President Yar’adua said, “Nigerians have reached a consensus that democracy and a free market economy should govern our national life and aspirations, so we must reform the electoral system and establish the rule of law as the basis for growth”.

He pledged to strive to make the Independent National Electoral Commission truly independent of the executive arm of government by making its funding a first charge on the Federation Account.

President Yar’adua expressed regret at the attitudes of many Nigerians especially as it concerned corruption and inefficiency, and pledged to do everything possible to make Nigerian institutions meet the minimum international standards.

In earlier comments during the meeting, Senator Nelson had stressed the determination of the United States to support Nigeria in her development efforts. He also wished President Yar’adua success.


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