Violent Conflict In Niger Delta Worries NDDC

Akanimo Sampson

Bureau Chief, Port Harcourt

Violent Conflict In Niger Delta Worries NDDC

Urges Armed Youths To Give Yar'Adua's Administration A Chanceqqqqqq UNABETTING violent conflict in the Niger Delta, Nigeria's main oil and gas region, is currently a matter of great concern at the top level of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Sources say top executives of the development agency have been appealing to the insurgent groups to give President Umar Yar'Adua's administration a chance to implement its vision for the oil region.

Acting Executive Director (Finance and Administration) of the interventionist agency, Power Z. Aginiyan, a church elder, said the development commission is interested in having an enduring peace in the oil region for development purposes.

To that end, he said, ''we have been appealing, and are still appealing to militants in the Niger Delta to put a halt to the culture of violence that seems to be gaining currency in the region as it is no longer doing the area any good''.

The NDDC chief who spoke yesterday in a chat with newsmen in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, after his 50th birthday celebration at the weekend, said there are other numerous ways of expressing disagreement other than violence.

According to him, ''NDDC is of the view that violence will not help in addressing the problems of underdevelopment and marginalization facing the Niger Delta nor in bringing about environmental justice''.

Continuing, he said, ''have drawn national and international attension to the plight of the peoples of the Niger Delta, we think that enough should be enough in the areas of violence and killings''.

Aginiyan said at 50, he has seen that things have not really changed in the oil region, pointing out that the water he was bathed in 1959 at Ezebri, is the same water his people are still drinking today.

''There is basis for anger but I want to say if Martin Luther King could on the basis of non violence achieve freedom for his people, today Barack Obama, the 44th President of America became president, all we need is sincerity. We have not been sincere and truthful to ourselves. Until we do this we can’t address the problem'', he said.

He, however, appealed to government at all levels in the region to be transparent and accountable to the people saying it is disturbing to note that pupils still sit on bare floor to learn in some parts of the region. A situation he blamed on the political leadership of the area. According to him, it is only when government at all levels in the region show resolve and commitment to tackle the problem of underdevelopment in the area that the region would move forward.

“Let us use the resources that pass through our land to touch the lives of our people. As Chairman of local government, governor etc if we do this we can confront our problems. In the region some of our children are still sitting on bare floor, I demand accountability, good governance from our people. “

Former security big boss, Chief Albert Horsfal, who was the chairman of the birthday celebration on Sunday had described Aginiyan as the pillar of the NDDC. While lauding his sense of honesty to issues he urged youths of the region to emulate the lifestyle of Aginiyan, he said the NDDC chief has come to appreciate the power of dialogue.

He accordingly urged Niger Delta youths to give peace a chance, saying they have made their points with their agitations so far, adding, ''it is now time to give dialogue a trial''.

“Niger Delta youths should learn from P.Z. to see the efficacy of dialogue. We need to know how far we need to go carrying guns and where we need to stop. Genuine youths of the region have made their points, you need to stop”, said Chief Horsfal, who is currently the Chairman of the Rivers State Social and Rehabilitation Committee, a body charged with the rehabilitation of repentant militants in the state.

ENDS

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