- Nigeria’s Economy Recovering, Oil Smuggling Now Unattractive – Tinubu
- Isoko group asks President to review pipeline surveillance contract
- Enahoro called on the government to declare a state of emergency on infrastructure and human capital development in Isoko land
President Bola Tinubu has announced that his administration has effectively tackled the smuggling of Nigeria’s crude oil, calling it one of the major achievements since he took office despite the country’s economic challenges.
Eko Hot Blog reports that during an interactive session with Nigerians in Saint Lucia yesterday, Tinubu also stated that his government has put an end to the speculative demand for foreign exchange at the Central Bank of Nigeria.
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“We inherited a country that was near bankruptcy, but we have been able to rescue the economy. Nigeria has recovered. We have made the smuggling of our oil unattractive. We have stopped chasing forex papers at the Central Bank,” Tinubu stated.
President Bola Tinubu met with members of the Nigerian diaspora community at the official residence of Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre, and later at the Windjammer Resort, where he stayed during his state visit. He assured them that his administration is committed to addressing the diplomatic and consular issues raised by Nigerians living in the Caribbean nation.
Recognizing the current economic difficulties, Tinubu acknowledged that Nigeria’s per capita income remains low but emphasized that efforts are underway to improve the economic well-being of citizens.
The engagement was coordinated by the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who praised Nigerians in Saint Lucia for their positive contributions to their host country and encouraged them to remain connected to their roots.
Meanwhile, the Isoko Renaissance Movement (IRM) has called on President Tinubu to review the pipeline surveillance contract in the Niger Delta and restructure it so that each ethnic group can secure its own territory.
During a peaceful protest in Abuja yesterday, the IRM Convener, Jezreel Enahoro, highlighted the importance of involving true sons and daughters of Isoko in the protection of pipelines within their communities.
Enahoro also called on the government to declare a state of emergency on infrastructure and human capital development in Isoko land. He urged the authorities to prioritize the completion and development of the Isoko Gas Turbine project to provide adequate electricity supply to the region.
He noted: “The IRM requests that the Federal Government award a fresh contract to a company of our choosing or that which is properly vetted by the stakeholders of Isoko region for surveillance of our crude oil pipelines, and not those who are appendages of Tantita Security.
“The betrayal of Isoko must end. The call for justice must rise beyond whispers.” The Convener also called on the government to appoint Isoko sons and daughters into Federal Government boards and government parastatals.
“If our resources are good enough to sustain the nation, then our people are good enough to be recognised, represented, and rewarded. Isoko demands fairness. Isoko demands inclusion. Isoko demands its rightful place in the governance and development of the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large. Our silence will not last forever,” Enahoro added.
