President Muhammadu Buhari has described failed Process and Industrial Development Limited (P&ID) deal as a cheat to rub Nigeria of money running into billions of dollars.

He stated this on Tuesday while addressing world leaders at the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), in New York, United States.

The President said, “The present Nigerian government is facing the challenges of corruption head-on.

“We are giving notice to international criminal groups by the vigorous prosecution of the P&ID scam attempting to cheat Nigeria of billions of dollars.”

President Buhari decried the activities of organised criminal networks which he said were acting with impunity across international borders.

Noting that such crimes present new challenges where only collective action can deliver genuine results, he highlighted the battle against violent extremism, trafficking in people and drugs, corruption among others.

President Muhammadu Buhari gives his speech at 74th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States on September 24, 2019.

The President called on tech companies to live up to their responsibilities and curb the spread of information capable of inciting nations against each other.

He recalled the massacre in New Zealand where a lone gunman took the lives of 50 worshippers and similar crimes that were fuelled by social media networks.

“Major tech companies must be alive to their responsibilities. They cannot be allowed to continue to facilitate the spread of religious, racist, xenophobic and false messages capable of inciting whole communities against each other, leading to loss of many lives,” President Buhari told the leaders at the summit.

Regrettable Signals

The Nigerian leader noted that the assembly has the theme, ‘Galvanising multilateral efforts for poverty eradication, quality education, climate action and inclusion’.

According to him, the issues are the prime areas calling for collective action which will benefit national and global interests.

President Buhari informed the gathering that the world was at a critical juncture as the year marks the first anniversary of the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace.

Multilateralism symbolised by the UN system, he noted, has brought immense benefits to the people of the world.

He added that it has saved lives, prevented wars, restored peace and stability, as well as generated economic and social progress in many countries.

The President, however, called the attention of the summit to the alarming rate of poverty in some countries, especially in the African continent.

He said, “We must admit that as the world grows richer, there are regrettable signals in the World Economic and Political Order. Millions in Africa and around the world remain in abject poverty.

“Furthermore, we are witnessing a backlash against multilateralism in the shape of rising tide of racism, xenophobia, resurgent nationalism, populism and tendencies towards protectionism and unilateralism. The pristine principles of the United Nations appear threatened.” (Channels TV)

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