THE Federal Government may soon begin dialogue with the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) following the militants’ declaration of additional 30 days of cease-fire.
Spokesperson of the Inter-Agency Co-ordinating Committee on Amnesty, Dr. Timiebi Koripamo Agary, told The Guardian yesterday that the committee was delighted by MEND’s gesture to give another 30-day window for all stakeholders to find permanent solution to the crisis in the Niger Delta.
She revealed that at the appropriate time, the government would engage MEND directly in dialogue. According to her, the government at the weekend demonstrated its commitment to the amnesty process when it dispatched the Minister of Defence, Maj.-Gen. Godwin Abbe (rtd) and some top government functionaries to visit MEND factional leader in Delta State, Government Tompolo and the leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante, Ateke Tom.
She said: “I want to appreciate MEND for giving us 30 days window to continue the process of amnesty. I am sure that at the appropriate time, the government may decide to engage in dialogue with them (MEND). Government, I think, will prefer to dialogue with MEND. And that is why MEND must unravel itself.”
Agary noted that the fundamental issues, which MEND has raised over the years concerning the Niger Delta, cannot be resolved within now and the expiration of the amnesty deadline on October 4.
She argued that the government is disposed to the resolution of the Niger Delta crisis. And for this reason, she urged MEND to continue to allow peace to prevail in the region. “With peace, the infrastructural issues they have raised will be addressed.”
At the political level, Agary observed that MEND has raised the issue of fiscal and true federalism. She, however, argued that this is a matter that cannot be resolved between the militants and the government alone.
She said: “The issues of true federalism and resource control are not matters that can be taken up and decided upon between them and the government. There are other corporate parts of Nigeria that must be part of the discussion.”
According to her, “the fundamental issues cannot be resolved without peace. The fundamental issues will require dialogue, which MEND is expected to be part of. And that is why we are calling on those that are yet to embrace the amnesty to do so.”
Meanwhile, the new Managing Director of First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Bisi Onasanya, has cautioned that if the country’s economy must work, the problems of the Niger Delta region must be properly handled by all stakeholders.
The First Bank chief, Onasanya, during a visit to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) headquarters in Port Harcourt, described the neglect of the Niger Delta as shameful having been responsible for the resources that have sustained the nation’s economy over the years.
His words: “It is unfortunate that the region was shamelessly ignored in the past. But I am here not to ask for deposit. I came to seek partnership with the NDDC to develop the Niger Delta region. I want to say bluntly that every eye is on this commission. We must ensure that there is peace and development in the region and if we put our acts together, more funds will be provided for the commission.”
He explained that the bank wants to partner with the NDDC in her drive to tackle the problems of the region.
The Managing Director of the NDDC, Mr. Chibuzo Uguoha, said the commission was ready to partner with the bank to fulfil its mandate to the people of the region.
“We have produced a lot of resources but there is nothing to show for them in the region. Some of our communities do not have water, electricity, road, light and healthcare facilities. In some places, you see children studying under trees. This commission is looking for a new way of doing things, ” he said.
However, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta yesterday declared that it was extending its unilateral cease-fire, which expired midnight, September 15, 2009, by additional 30 days.
MEND’s spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, said the group does not recognise an amnesty that has not made any provision for meaningful dialogue on the root issues that gave birth to the Niger Delta unrest in the first place.
Gbomo said: “We have therefore resolved to continue fighting because the reasons for fighting have not yet been addressed. The government should use this extension of time to do the right thing instead of pretending to talk peace while arming the military for a war it cannot win.”
He warned that oil and gas companies which, according to him, would bear the brunt of renewed hostilities should not be deceived by the amnesty charade or the recent military hardware purchases as this is only leading to another cycle of violence.