Russia urges FG to employ negotiation to resolve oil facilities attacks

The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Nikolay Udovichenko, has decried incessant attacks on oil facilities in Nigeria, urging the Federal Government to employ dialogue to resolve the crisis.

Udovichenko told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in interview in Abuja on Monday that attacks on oil facilities was not pleasant for Foreign Direct Investment into the country.

“Sure the ongoing attacks on oil facilities are unpleasant for investment, of course. And I wish the Federal Government will solve this problem as soon as possible through talks and negotiations.

“So it is in the interest of Nigeria to find good solutions for businessmen and for the Nigerian people,” he said.The Russian envoy regretted the impacts of the international oil price slump on Nigeria’s economy.

According to him, the attacks on oil facilities had further compounded the country’s economic situation.He, however, expressed the hope that Nigeria, under President Muhammadu Buhari, would come out of the current economic crisis stronger.

“My position is because Nigeria suffered a lot recently during the fall of oil price. The new government has every option for positive development, for good economic development. So this case of attacks on oil facilities is a very bad one for the country,” he said.

The Russian envoy, however, assured that Russia would continue to support Nigeria to overcome its security challenges.

Udovichenko, who was not categorical about what Russia was doing to support Nigeria to overcome its security challenges, simply said “security issues and support are delicate and not always made public”.

When pressed for specifics he said,“I can assure you again that Russia is trying to do everything to support the Nigerian security field.

“In no distant future, you will be seeing visibly what specifically we have already done.

“It is better no to speak publicly on security issues because it is a very delicate issue,” Udovichenko said.