President Yar'Adua had at the inception of his administration in May 2007, promised to find a lasting solution to the crisis in the Niger Delta region. Nigerian soldiers have also been deployed to the area to checkmate the vandalization and blowing up of oil pipeline that has contributed to the rising cost of crude at the international market.
 
Almost one year into his administration, President Yar'Adua appears overwhelmed by the insecurity in the area as his efforst are yet to pay off.
 
However, the U.S noted that while the issue has become more political, it becomes necessary for the Nigerian Government to take a bold step in securing peace and ending all forms of militancy in the oil producing zone.

President Yar'Adua

 
Spokesman for the U.S Department of States, Sean McCormack who said he cannot confirm any letter sent by the Niger Delta Militants to the U.S President George Bush, noted that the United States is strongly condemn kidnappings and the use of violence as a way of expressing displeasure.
 
"You know, I don't know. And I would suggest that there are better ways to express displeasure than actually blowing up pipelines," McCormack said.
 
On whether the U.S government has faith in the ability of the Nigerian Government to deal with the crisis in the niger Delta Region, the U.S Department of States spokesman said "Well, regardless of the latter part, it is an important issue that I know the Government of Nigeria is dealing with. And certainly, we would encourage them to deal with it."
 

advertisement

According to him, "Fundamentally, these things come down to political issues. Now there's -- the kidnapping of people and the use of violence is something that we condemn. But I understand that this is something the government – this issue is one that the Government of Nigeria is dealing with."

 

Also, the British Government through its High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Bob Dewor while on a courtesy call to Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan recently, decried  the state of insecurity in the Niger Delta region,saying essential socio-economic and political gains might be overshadowed.