Acting President Yemi Osinbajo said on Thursday that the Federal Government would ensure justice, equity and even development of the oil producing states in the country.
Osinbajo gave the assurance in Uyo when he visited members of the Akwa Ibom Traditional Rulers’ Council as part of his consultation with stakeholders in the Niger Delta region.
He said that the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, was committed to even development of the oil bearing communities in the country.
“My particular reason for coming is that we are at the moment consulting with oil producing states of Nigeria.
“There is a role for the Federal Government to play to ensure justice, equity to oil producing states.
“We must be fair that oil communities benefit from the oil,” Osinbajo said.
The acting president acknowledged the peaceful nature exhibited by Akwa Ibom people, advising them to maintain the peace.
Osinbajo noted that oil producing communities were very strategic to the development of the country.
He said that his visit, which was approved by President Buhari, was to consult with the people of Niger Delta on how to achieve peace, justice and development in the region.
“We have not done so very well in the past, we have opportunity now.
“We have now a window of opportunity to make maximum use of our oil,” Osinbajo said.
The acting president urged the people to ensure that there was peace in the region to make optimal gain from oil now that the product was still relevant.
In his remarks, the Akwa Ibom governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, said that the state was greatly endowed with natural and human resources.
Emmanuel said that the state had potential in craft industry, which could be well harnessed through the support of the Federal Government.
The governor said that the role played by the traditional rulers had been very significant in ensuring peaceful co-existence across the state.
In his address of welcome, the Chairman, Akwa Ibom Traditional Rulers’ Council, Chief Edidem-Effiong Archianga, said that the state was peaceful and should be given pride of place in scheme of things.
Archianga said that traditional rulers in the state would continue to support the government in the fight against corruption in the country.
The monarch lauded the acting president for visiting the state and conferred on him the chieftaincy title of “Obong Emem of Akwa Ibom” on behalf of the traditional institution.
The title means advocate or prince of peace in Akwa Ibom.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo had earlier inspected the 3.6km second runway of Akwa Ibom International Airport soon after arrival.
[NAN]
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