The Presidency has said Niger Delta militant groups continue to frustrate the Federal Government efforts to ensure peace in the region.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu was quoted as saying this in an interview he granted to a Kano-based radio station, Express Radio.

He said the militants have continued to wreak havoc, even as the government was making considerable efforts to stop the crisis.

He said, “Despite the government’s demonstration of goodwill by bringing stakeholders to the roundtable, militant groups have continued to blow up national economic assets.”

Shehu appealed to the militants to stop the destruction of oil facilities.

He also said the government was speeding up development projects in the region.

“We must keep national interest above all else and give priority to eschewing violence and destruction,” he said.

“Kano-Katsina dual highway was awarded three years ago by the last administration. They didn’t pay a kobo for its start-up. President Buhari just paid money for the first tranche of 75 kilometres and work has begun,” he added.

Azeez