Rep cautions FG on dialogue with Avengers

The Federal Government has been advised to look critically into the demands of the Niger Delta Avengers to save the nation’s economy from collapse.

Hon. Segun Alex Adekola, representing, Ekiti South Federal  Constituency in the House of Representatives, made the call in Abuja, stressing that the situation was a delicate one which called for caution in handling it.

Although Adekola urged the government to identify genuine agitations and demands of the Niger Delta Avengers, he advised NDA and other militant groups emerging from the South South against beating the drums of war as the consequences would be quite devastating.  “Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gun powder; government should address this issue. I also advise the avengers to take it easy because you can never know where and how it will end. Nigeria must be united. NDA should embrace dialogue because the price of peace cannot be bought.”

Adekola, who also spoke on the one year of the 8th National Assembly, which he commended as having excelled above its predecessors on overall performance, including number of bills passed and motions moved, accused the APC-led government of paying lip service to the plights of Nigerians. He urged the government to tell Nigerians what its economic direction was, noting that Nigerians were suffering as a result of the effect of policy implementation without putting on ground, cushioning effects that would ameliorate the stress that the economy had been put under.

He said that most bills and motions sponsored and passed in the House of Representatives were people-oriented.

The lawmaker further blamed the APC-led administration of doing little about job creation, adding that the problem of Nigeria was that of unemployment.

According to him, “until we address the problem of unemployment and restore normalcy in the power sector  the issues of militancy, Boko Haram, herdsmen and other vices will continue to arise”.

Adekola called on both state and federal governments to work together on the issue of agriculture by providing the necessary infrastructure and tools that would encourage youths to go into mechanised farming, “otherwise we will continue to see Nigeria getting into more troubles,” he stated.