NewsMonarchs List Six Conditions For Peace To Return To Niger Delta

Monarchs List Six Conditions For Peace To Return To Niger Delta

Ask ZiVA 728x90 Ads

BEVERLY HILLS, AUGUST 26, (THEWILL) – Traditional Rulers in Niger Delta coastal states on Thursday paid a visit to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, where they outlined six conditions for the Federal Government to achieve and sustain the peace in the region.

The Bolowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Williston Okirika, while reading out the conditions on behalf of the chiefs, said, “We wish to state here that, as a matter of urgency, the Federal Government should appoint or constitute a Federal Government Dialogue Team.

“Release 10 innocent school children arrested by the Nigerian Army on May 28th in Oporoza and others in detention on trumped up charges.

“Return the Golden Sword, being the symbol of authority of the Gbaramato traditional institution,” he said.

The monarch gave other conditions to include the return of the three traditional council speed boats in custody of the Nigerian Army, stressing that there must be cessation of hostilities perpetrated by the military in the Niger Delta region.

“Equally important, the Federal Government should make a categorical statement about the opening of the Maritime University- Okerenkoko, Delta, for academic activities in 2016 /2017 session,” he said, assuring that the royal fathers would continue to support every effort that would help bring peace and sanity to the region.

In his response, Kachikwu commended the monarchs for the visit and said restoring peace in the region was imperative.

He said the ceasefire announced by the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, was a welcome development, adding that every effort must be made to sustain it.

He said it was unfortunate that after the announcement, it was heard that pipeline in Nembe community was vandalised and the country lost about 150 barrels of oil and a high quantity of gas.

“This inability to stay steadfast creates military intervention, because government cannot sit and watch production go down.

“The president has shown a lot of patience and believed that engaging the communities is the best model.

“You should continue to reach out to others to ensure total ceasefire, because as production goes down, it affects both states in tackling the financial burdens,” the minister stated.

He disclosed that the Federal Government had spent about $40 billion in refurbishing the region in the last 10 years.

Kachikwu stated that there was need for the money to be applied in the proper way to ensure development.

He urged the people and royal fathers to ensure that monies were channelled in the proper way for the region.

The minister expressed the readiness of government to always support a positive cause for the region, as it had lost 50 per cent of its revenue to drop in oil price, worsened by militants’ operations.

He added that “presently, production has reduced from 1.6 million barrel per day to 1.4 million; may translate to 60 per cent decrease in revenue generation.

“The people that pay the biggest price for militancy is the Niger Delta; time has come to engage in dialogue and everybody has a role to play.

“Ceasefire must stay to enable the military stop interference, we must find positive way to solve the problem of the region,” Kachikwu said.

About the Author

Homepage | Recent Posts

More like this
Related