BRITISH parliamentarians on a visit to Nigeria have blamed persistent violence in Nigeria on the inability of Nigerian government to address human and civil right problems.
Briefing Journalists in Abuja weekend at the end of their one week fact finding mission on various areas in the country, the British Lawmakers also condemned the oil and gas flaring in the Niger Delta region, and advised Nigerian government to find a lasting solution to it.
The lawmakers who expressed their desire to support Nigerian government reform efforts, especially the 7-poin agenda of President Yar’Adua, said Nigeria is waiting at a crossroads and impatient to see real change.
It however, urged the present administration to demonstrate leadership if the path to greater prosperity and justice is to be pursued.
Speaking at the briefing, the leader of the group, John Robertson representing Labour Member of Parliament for Glasgow North West said, “Denial of human and civil right of the citizens is the root causes of all crises.
“The people we met in Jos complained that they were being denied of their civic rights as Nigerians citizens. We can’t tell any country how to solve their problem, but I think the first thing Nigerian government should do is to deal with civil rights demands and problems in those communities.
“It is up to them to investigate on what is going on and why people always prefer to go to street to demonstrate their anger. The world is looking at Nigeria to improve on the question of human right especially on child trafficking.
“We were deeply saddened by violence in Jos and urge all communities to realize their common interest in supporting one another as Nigerians and resist those who seek to divide them. Lastly, but perhaps most fundamental to all of these things, we heard how corruption continues to eat away at progress and prosperity across all walks of life in Nigeria ”.
On gas and oil flaring in the Niger Delta, he said, “it saddened us when we have major investment and interest, not just about getting oil but the possibility of that oil flowing into the country to address the interest of the people in that community”.
He pointed out that problem of climate change and gas flaring formed their interest in Nigeria, adding that since most country get their oil and gas supply from Nigeria, they want to contribute in anywhere possible to help in repositioning the energy sector in Nigeria.
“We will be looking at greater flexibility in the use of gas for energy generation. There are many thoughts within Nigeria on how to address this problem, but we hope that with the European and UK technology, we are going to help to address this particular problem”, he stressed.
He stated that the British Parliamentarians have been greatly impressed by the determination of Nigerians to build on the very important reforms of recent years, pointing out that Nigeria is an ever more important global player as what ever that happened to the country makes difference around the world.
“However, we are equally concerned at the strong sense that we have received that Nigeria is at crossroads. The main road leads on future reform and the bright hope that Nigeria will before too long become powerful, fair and democratic country.
“But we are worried that a darker path leads in more worrying direction for all those who care about Nigeria . Ultimately, it is the government and the people of Nigeria who must lead, and our discussion show that Nigeria are impatient to see real change”, he stated.