A group of Niger Delta militants, loyal to the dislodged militant leader, Tompolo arrived Abuja on Wednesday to see President Umaru Yar’Adua over the government’s amnesty plan for the youth in the region.
Members of the group, led by Joseph Etela Harry, (a.k.a Godfather) came with a list of demands which they wanted Mr. Yar’Adua to consider before they can accept the amnesty offer.
Mr. Harry, who acts as the President of Rumuola Elders Patriotic Forum, however, said his group would pull out of the negotiations if they were not given audience and if their demands are not met within 48 hours.
They also asked Mr. Yar’Adua to leave out politicians in the amnesty plan to prevent it from being hijacked.
The group, which also claimed to be loyal to Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), controlled by Henry Okah, demanded that all multinationals oil companies operating in the region should submit the following documents
– certification of allocation;
– last receipt of payments to the Federal Government;
– number of oil wells and the company name including memorandum of the company with names of directors declared;
– daily production from oil well; and a memorandum to be signed to state that they will not engage in future illegal bunkering activities;
– forward all documents to the Inspector General of Police for verification and same to the Godfather;
– all militant groups to produce visual tape of arms to be produced in cause of first phase of disengagement latest Saturday to enable compilation for final arrangements and to fix the date of collection.
The group also called on the President to disregard politicians who have continued to keep him out of circulation for personal political ambition.
“Why will a politician be allowed to handle amnesty? Our doubt is that we don’t want to be used. We don’t have confidence in the governors and politicians.
“Finally, the Federal Government should empower Godfather (Mr. Harry) to enable the boys to remove the bombs and mines at the wells in different locations immediately.
“All militant camps to deliver 50 per cent of their camp ammunitions and itemise what prices are to be paid for the different arms with their serial numbers. And all arms should be submitted before the next election so that every politician will contest on merit and what he/she can offer to the electorates, hence all arms will be returned within 12 months based on what is on ground.”
Mr. Harry, who was accompanied by other leaders of the group, including Edmond Bonni Gawei, a.k.a Otiagada of Delta further tasked multinationals operating in the region to do a documentary of their production capacities, evidence of payments to government, and commitment to the amnesty offer, or lose their devotion to cessation of restiveness in the Niger Delta.
He said militants are only willing to surrender that much because the government’s commitment is still in doubt.
Speaking further on the preparation of the militants for the amnesty offer, Mr. Harry said that they will be willing to surrender 50 per cent of arms because the government’s commitment on the matter is still suspicious.
Disregard the politician
He said: “As a leader, it has not been easy to persuade the boys in the creeks to return their arms when they are not sure of the government’s commitment to the amnesty.
“We hope that they should be paid in return for arms returned in this phase. The next phase when the remaining arms would be turned in is after the government concludes building of houses as part of rehabilitation for the boys,” he said.
Asked why he was insisting on trading money for arms, contrary to MEND’s position, Mr. Harry said there was proliferation of militant groups to an extent that some are real, while others are not.
“It is unfortunate that the government is dealing with politicians, who do not know how we started the amnesty pursuit, and who are now reaping from the offer, while those of us who are in the struggle are left out.
“We are in Abuja to tell the government our position on the amnesty offer, and to present our stance on it.
“If the offer is to work, we implore them to disregard the politicians, who have continued to keep him out of circulation for personal political ambition.
“Finally, the Federal Government should empower Godfather to enable to remove the bombs and mines at the wells in different locations, immediately,” he said.
Mend’s dissociation
However, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta dissociated itself from another meeting anticipated in Abuja. The group, in a mail to NEXT, said the presence of Boyloaf, who is a MEND commander in Bayelsa State, does not represent its interest at the Abuja meeting.
“Boyloaf has expressed a desire to return to civilian life and, as such, he is in Abuja in furtherance of his personal pursuits,” MEND said. “Already, a replacement has been effected to take over his command. Boyloaf is not acting on behalf of MEND which is already in consultations with the Presidential Special Adviser on Niger Delta, Timi Alaibe. The outcome of these negotiations will determine MEND’s approach to the governments offer.” MEND also faulted reports that Farah Dagogo, its commander in the Eastern Delta, is in Abuja for the negotiations.
“Henry Okah will not be leading the Boyloaf led bunch into any kind of talks that will focus on monetary negotiations rather than address the root issues that has led to the Niger Delta unrest, the group said.
“MEND denies any involvement in a cash for arms deal which we condemn in very strong terms. When we choose to disarm, it will be done freely; knowing that the reason for our uprising, which is the emancipation of the Niger Delta from neglect and injustice, has been achieved.”