Amaechi laments insecurity, oil theft; says Nigeria needs a competent person as president

By Wale Odunsi

 

Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, on Thursday stated that insecurity in the land and crude oil theft were caused by poverty.
He spoke in London during a presentation on “Security and Human Rights in the Niger Delta.”
“We need a Nigerian president who will rule the country as a nation, someone who can take full charge. For instance, the issues of Boko Haram, kidnapping and oil theft are poverty related,” he said.
“When people are not meaningfully engaged, they become willing tools for destruction.”
“Government has to create opportunities for people to be educated and engaged,” he said.
The governor further lamented government’s inaction in bringing culprits of the menace to book, saying “we are talking about oil theft and nobody has gone to jail”.
“If we deal with the issues of impunity and poverty, oil theft will reduce, kidnapping and other crimes will be on the decline; this we can do by collaborating with the local and international communities,” Amaechi added.

He explained that his administration had achieved a lot in agriculture, health and education, noting that under his administration, 500 primary schools with ICT facility were built.
According to him, providing social security through basic amenities is vital to Nigeria’s development.
Reacting, a cross section of the audience, including some members of the British House of Commons, suggested the use of surveillance aircraft as a better means of tackling incessant cases of oil theft and bunkering in Nigeria.
The raised the issue of increased level of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, saying that the development had made it difficult for seafarers to go to West Africa.
The event was attended by some Nigerians in the Diaspora and Rivers State students on scholarship scheme in the United Kingdom.

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