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Amnesty: Nigeria Sleepwalking into Doom

Press Release

14/07/09

Why is the Nigerian government bringing so much pain on the Niger Delta and the ordinary people of Nigeria? Why is the government subjecting Nigeria through this pain, when it is clear how the Niger Delta crisis can be resolved quickly and permanently? Where are the political historians who could have advised the president that the current crisis was inevitable? Where are the democrats and moralists who should be shouting out to the government to do the right thing so as to resolve the crisis quickly, instead of been miserably quiet? Where is the Nigerian National Assembly that should be the defender of human rights and justice that have paled into uselessness and have become a department of the presidency? Where is the British government to mediate in order to end the crisis, rather than advising the Nigerian government on a military solution that has brought so much misery to the Nigerian people? Where is the European Union that talks so much about justice, freedom and fair-play, but has been hopelessly quite? Where is the United States, the preacher of freedom, justice and human rights, yet could not caution Nigeria when Nigeria consistently perpetrates injustice in the Niger Delta? Where is the African Union to help resolve this problem in the spirit of Pan-Africanism? For how long will Nigeria refuse to abide by due process that it preaches, in resolving the crisis instead of embarking on a short cut quick-fix approach in dealing with the crisis?

Nigeria is in a serious trouble, with the potential of collapsing, yet the government and its advisers do not seem to see the danger of Nigeria becoming a failed state, but still do business as usual. The Niger Delta crisis is the single most important issue to be resolved, if Nigeria wants to continue as a state with sustainable social cohesion and economic progress. Why is Nigeria so used to not doing things correctly?

There is so much enthusiasm about the amnesty package announced by President, Yar’ Adua, but one could not help but baffles at the grossly inadequate measures proposed to resolving the crisis. Any reasonable person that thinks logically knows that the package is incapable of addressing the issues that caused the problems in the first place. Amnesty should be a tiny aspect of an entire holistic reconciliation process. It is also shocking to see the President dangle N50 billion (and ignoring the real issues) to entice militants to lay down their arms. The president is clearly taking advantage of the level of poverty of the people of the Niger Delta, a people that can be bought quite easily. Some questions that are worth asking are, what happens when the recipient militants exhaust the money they received, will the government give them more? Exactly how much of the N50 billion will get to the militants? Or will a large part be consumed by political administrators? The danger is that the government may just replace the current militants with new ones. Besides, it is highly unlike that all the current militants will lay down their arms (MEND has already indicated that it will not) because of the gross inadequacies of the current amnesty proposal. It is also highly unlikely that even those who lay down their arms will surrender all of them. This is not rocket science, it is predictable, it is simply human behaviour. There is no trust. The militants may simply reason that, what happens if they give up all their weapons and the Nigerian government changes its mind? Remember, there is a problem with trust. Past Nigerian governments have no history of trustworthiness, so one may understand why the militants may reason this way. Another worry some militants may have is how secure are the arms, after they have been surrendered? Could these arms be sold or passed on by corrupt officers involved in the current disarmament framework?

A Model

The Northern Ireland model can guide Nigeria out of this mess. With IRA and other paramilitary groups fighting against British government interest, as many as 3,500 people died during the Northern Ireland conflict between 1968 and 1998. Those who lived in the UK during this period will bear witness to the constant threats from the IRA with bombs exploding all over London and other parts of the country, with huge destruction and human casualties. This went on for 30 years, until former British Prime Minister Tony Blair felt that the government should engage the IRA to resolve the crisis. Though he came under severe criticism for been ‘soft’ on the IRA, he stuck to his guns and pursued a peaceful means to bring the pains of Northern Ireland to an end. How did he do it? He partnered with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland to pursue a holistic process of peace and reconciliation, as the pain and anger was deep rooted.

As a result of deep seated distrust on both sides, a neutral negotiator, US senator George Mitchell was appointed to negotiate on the political front. Mitchell operated on the following principles:-

· To a democratic and exclusively peaceful means of resolving political issues;

· To the total disarmament of all paramilitary organisations;

· To agree that such disarmament must be verified to the satisfaction of an independent commission;

· To renounce for themselves, and to oppose any effort by others, to use force, or threaten to use force, to influence the course or the outcome of all-party negotiations;

· To agree to abide by the terms of any agreement reached in all-party negotiations and to resort to democratic and exclusively peaceful methods in trying to alter any aspect of that outcome with which they may disagree; and

· To urge that “punishment” killings and beatings stop and to take effective steps to prevent such actions.

On the disarmament front, an Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) was established. In the UK, the IICD was established under the Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning Act 1997 and in the Republic of Ireland it was established under the Decommissioning Act 1997. The IICD was made up of:-

· (Ret) General John de Chastelain, the Chairman, from Canada

· Brigadier Tauno Nieminen, from Finland

· Ambassador Donald C. Johnson, from the USA

· Andrew D. Sens, from the USA

The objectives of the Commission, was to facilitate the decommissioning of firearms, ammunitions and explosives, by:-

· Consulting with the two governments, the participants in the ongoing negotiations in Northern Ireland, and other relevant groups,

· Devising and presenting to the governments a set of proposals on how to achieve decommissioning,

· Facilitating the process by observing, monitoring and verifying decommissioning, and receiving and auditing arms, and

· Reporting periodically on progress.

Furthermore, an Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) was created in January 2004, by a treaty signed between the Irish and British governments in November 2003. The role of the IMC includes:-

· Monitoring any continuing activity by paramilitary groups;

· Monitoring the commitment by the British Government to a package of security normalisation measures;

· Handling claims by parties in the Northern Ireland Assembly that a Minister, or another party in the Northern Ireland Assembly, is not committed to non-violence and exclusively peaceful and democratic means, or that a Minister has failed to observe any other terms of the pledge of office. .......

The Commission was made up of the following:-

· Lord Alderdice, Peer in the House of Lords;

· Joe Brosnan, former Secretary General of the Department of Justice, Republic of Ireland;

· John Grieve, former head of the Metropolitan Police Anti-Terror Branch

· Dick Kerr, former Deputy Director, Central Intelligence Agency, USA

The point here is that in order to bring about true peace and reconciliation, outside help is essential for the sake of trust and confidence building.

The UK government did not stop at this, as disarmament was only a part of a much wider package contained in the Good Friday Agreement that was signed on Friday, April 10 1998 by all sides to the conflict.

Under the sub-heading “Declaration of Support”, the Good Friday agreement reads:-

1. “We, the participants in the multi-party negotiations, believe that the agreement we have negotiated offers a truly historic opportunity for a new beginning.

2. The tragedies of the past have left a deep and profoundly regrettable legacy of suffering. We must never forget those who have died or been injured, and their families. But we can best honour them through a fresh start, in which we firmly dedicate ourselves to the achievement of reconciliation, tolerance, and mutual trust, and to the protection and vindication of the human rights of all.

3. We are committed to partnership, equality and mutual respect as the basis of relationships within Northern Ireland, between the North and South, and between these islands.

4. We reaffirm our total and absolute commitment to exclusively democratic and peaceful means of resolving differences on political issues, and our opposition to any use or threat of force by others for any political purpose, whether in regard to this agreement or otherwise.

Regarding reconciliation aspect of the Good Friday agreement, the sub-heading titled “Reconciliation and Victims of Violence” reads:-

11. The participants believe that it is essential to acknowledge and address the suffering of the victims of violence as a necessary element of reconciliation. They look forward to the results of the work of the Northern Ireland Victims Commission.

12. It is recognised that victims have a right to remember as well as to contribute to a changed society. The achievement of a peaceful and just society would be the true memorial to the victims of violence. The participants recognise that young people from areas affected by the troubles face particular difficulties and will support the development of special community-based initiatives based on international best practice. The provision of services that are supportive and sensitive to the needs of victims will also be a critical element and that support will need to be channelled through both statutory and community-based voluntary organisations facilitating locally-based self-help and support networks. This will require the allocation of sufficient resources, including statutory funding as necessary, to meet the needs of victims and to provide for community-based support programmes.

And under “Rights, Safeguards and Equality of Opportunity”, another part of the agreement says:-

“Pending the devolution of powers to a new Northern Ireland Assembly, the British Government will pursue broad policies for sustained economic growth and stability in Northern Ireland and for promoting social inclusion, including community development and the advancement of women in public life.

Subject to the public consultation currently under way, the British Government will make rapid progress with:-

(i) A new regional development strategy for Northern Ireland, for consideration in due course by the Assembly, tackling the problems of a divided society and social cohesion in urban, rural and border areas, protecting and enhancing the environment, producing new approaches to transport issues, strengthening the physical infrastructure of the region, developing the advantages and resources of rural areas and rejuvenating major urban centres; ........

With the total commitment from the British government on implementing these initiatives, Northern Ireland became the fastest growing economy in the United Kingdom.

The promise of a genuine peace and reconciliation changed the mid-set of both politicians and militants alike in Northern Ireland. In 2005, even former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair had to say the simple, but usually difficult word to say “Sorry” to the family of the Guildford Four and the Maguire Seven who were wrongly convicted for involvement in IRA bombing activities that killed and injured several people. Their convictions were quashed by the Court of Appeal in 1989 and 2001 respectively. They had by this time served 15 years in jail. The prime minister said “he was sorry that the families were subject to such an ordeal and injustice”. Though the prime minister was criticised by many as a political opportunist, the apology brought so much healing to the recipients, their families and those who had fought for justice for many in years in Northern Ireland. Blair was basically steering the peace process on the right platform, a time to sound conciliatory and not inflammatory. This is a quality that Nigerian politicians lack. Many come across as rude, arrogant and obnoxious, that constantly inflame situations that could have been resolved with public relations and interpersonal skills.

Even the IRA took the unusual step of apologising to the families of the victims of Bloody Friday, when on Friday, July 21 1972, the IRA detonated 27 bombs in Belfast, killing 7 civilians and 2 soldiers and injuring more than 130 people .The apology was made in July 2002, at the 30th anniversary of Bloody Friday. The IRA said:-

“It had not been its intention to kill or injure non-combatants that day....

The reality is that on this and on a number of occasions, that was the consequences of our actions....

It was appropriate that on the anniversary of the tragic events of Bloody Friday that we address all the deaths and injuries of non-combatants caused by us....

We offer our sincere apologies and condolences to their families....

There had been fatalities on both sides. We recognise the grief and pain of the relatives....

The future would not be found in denying collective failures and mistakes or closing minds and hearts to the plight of those who had been hurt....

The future would not be achieved by creating a hierarchy of victims in which some were deemed more or less worthy than others....

The IRA was committed unequivocally to the search for freedom, justice and peace in Ireland......

We remain totally committed to the peace process and to dealing with the challenges and difficulties which this presents.... This includes the acceptance of past mistakes and the hurt and pain we have caused to others”.

This statement brought tears to many families who had lost loved ones in the conflict, now hoping that gradually they could see true peace and reconciliation and an end to their pain. Nigeria should learn from what happened in Northern Ireland and not try to invent the wheel all over again, for mistakes would be too costly. The current amnesty package that has been paraded now will not bring true peace to the Niger Delta. Even if all the militants were to lay down their weapons (which is unlikely), the problem still remains and it will be a matter of time when another Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro or Ken Saro Wiwa or MEND will rise again. This is simply because the pain remains.

Look at the pictures below and guess where Nigeria’s oil wealth is produced. Your answer to this question will explain why the problem will not go away until Nigeria can take the bull by the horn and robustly deal with real issues that have plagued the Niger Delta for over five decades.

Please click on this link to view the full press release with pictures:

http://nigerdeltasolidarity.wordpress.com/

Nigeria therefore, has a lot of work to do in order to bring closure to this crisis. Imagine the mess the oil companies are doing to the Niger Delta. They have completely destroyed the rivers and the beautiful rain forest of the Delta. The mangrove forests of the Niger Delta, is the largest in Africa and the third largest in the world with huge environmental benefits to not only Nigeria, but to the entire world. Yes, the Nigerian government remains completely mute in the face of this rapid and vigorous destruction of the Niger Delta by the oil companies. The companies pay no penalties for their irresponsible and dangerous behaviour. What kind of government on earth behaves like this, to deliberately subject her citizens to condemnation and death. In the 18th century, the Escravos river in Delta State (Escravos means “Slaves” in Portuguese), use to flow with slaves. It now flows with crude oil and blood. The same is happening on the rivers Nun, Forcados, Ramos, Santa Barbara, San Bartholomew, Brass, Middleton, St. Nicholas and Pennington.

Nigeria should wake up from her sleep and tackle these issues with all seriousness, if she wants to survive.

Recommendations

Despite the bleak and depressing future, we believe that Nigerian has a way out of this crisis. These are our recommendations for the President to act upon, in order to save the Niger Delta and Nigeria from further pain and suffering:-

· Assemble a respected and trusted international team to manage and monitor the implementation of the amnesty proposal;

· Assemble an international team to manage and implement a process of peace and reconciliation in the Niger Delta;

· Apologise to the people of the Niger Delta on the manner they have been treated over the past five decades (the symbolism here is very important);

· Quickly implement the recommendation of the Niger Delta Technical Report, with timescales;

· Visibly improving the living condition of the people;

· Enact tough laws to curb the irresponsible behaviour of the oil companies, with tough penalties for default;

· Enact specific laws to protect the Niger Delta and its Eco-system;

· Enact tough laws to jail corrupt politicians (no politician has ever been jailed in Nigeria for up to 3 years for corruption, even though it is universally accepted that they are very many in Nigeria). All this brings pain and anger to not only the people of Niger Delta, but to a lot of Nigerians; and

· Keep talking to all stakeholders in all honesty and sincerity, for any sign of dishonestly will damage the fragile negotiations; and

· Stop using threatening and inflammatory words.

Everyone has a responsibility to be responsible. With a structure like this, even MEND will find it difficult to reject the amnesty package, if it is convinced that the Nigerian government is sincere in its commitment.

If this is achieved, Nigeria may at last be back on track on the gradual process to true and lasting peace and reconciliation in the Niger Delta. If not, Nigeria could be sleepwalking into doom.

Mr Benaebi Benatari Mr Ebiye Asuka

General Secretary General Secretary

Ijaw Peoples Association of Bayelsa State Union of

Great Britain and Ireland Great Britain and Ireland

Email: b.benatari@yahoo.com Email: secretary@bayelsa.org.uk

Web: www.ijawland.com Web: www.bayelsa.org.uk

http://nigerdeltasolidarity.wordpress.com/

 

Nigerian Militants Announce 60 Day Ceasefire!

Tue Jul, 14 2009
By Tobi Smith

Nigeria’s main militant group, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has announced a temporary ceasefire to allow for a peaceful negotiation with the government.

MEND said the ceasefire is also due to the release of its leader, Henry Okah after he acceoted a government amnesty.

In an email to Thetimesofnigeria.com, MEND said:

“Effective, 0000 Hrs, Wednesday, July 15, 2009, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) will be observing a temporary ceasefire for a 60 day period.

“Several factors necessitated our decision; chiefly the release of Mr. Henry Okah from government custody.

“During this period, the Aaron team of wise men and women will be put together after consultations with relevant stakeholders. They will speak on our behalf and convey our demands to government.

“A compulsory prelude to talks is the withdrawal of the military Joint Task Forces from the Gbaramatu communities and the return of all the displaced persons back to their various homes.

“Hopefully, the ceasefire period will create an enabling environment for progressive dialogue.” The statement was signed by Jomo Gbomo.

 

Nigerian rebels say they attacked oil tanker dock

ABUJA, July 13 — Nigeria's most prominent militant group said today it had sabotaged a loading dock for oil tankers in Lagos state, widening an offensive against Africa's biggest oil sector.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said its fighters launched an attack on the Atlas Cove Jetty in Lagos state overnight, the first in the area since the group began its latest campaign of violence in late May.

"The depot and loading tankers moored at the facility are currently on fire," MEND said in a statement.

It was not immediately possible to independently verify the attack. A police spokesman said authorities were investigating.

MEND has rarely attacked sites outside the Niger Delta, focusing mainly on oil facilities in the Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states in southern Nigeria.

The militant group has claimed a series of attacks against the oil sector following the military's largest offensive in the Niger Delta for years in late May.

The violence has forced Royal Dutch Shell, US oil company Chevron and Italy's Agip to shut down around 300,000 barrels per day of production in the last seven weeks. This has put some upward pressure on global oil prices.

President Umaru Yar'Adua has offered a 60-day amnesty programme to militants and criminals in hopes of restoring peace to the region.

MEND's suspected leader Henry Okah, on trial for gun-running and treason, has accepted the amnesty programme and is expected to be released early this week, his lawyer said yesterday.

Although some militants have said they would lay down their arms if Okah was released, analysts believe violence will not subside.

Oil theft is a lucrative business in the region and politicians would continue to hire armed gangs to secure power in the run-up to 2011 elections, analysts said. — Reuters

 

Henry Okah Accepts FG’s Amnesty

•MEND ready for negotiation •Yar'Adua hails new development
By Abimbola Akosile in Lagos and Ahamefula Ogbu in Port Harcourt with agency report, 07.10.2009

The detained leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Mr. Henry Okah, yesterday accepted to benefit from Federal Government's unconditional amnesty for Niger Delta militants.
The latest move by Okah was the outcome of high level negotiation between top government officials, security chiefs and Okah's lawyer.
It has also spurred the group led by Okah, MEND, to sing a different tune as it yesterday announced that it was ready to have dialogue with the federal government on how to resove the Niger Delta crisis.
The new developments were hailed by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who spoke from Italy where he is at present attending the G-8 summit.
Yar’Adua said with his acceptance of amnesty, necessary machinery were being put in place for the eventual release of Okah.
Reuters yesterday quoted one of Okah's lawyers, Mr. Wilson Ajuwa, as saying that the MEND leader had accepted the amnesty offer. ''They offered it to him yesterday. Okah welcomed the amnesty. We are in the process of finalising it. Hopefully, it will be resolved early next week,''Ajuwa further said.
Okah, who is standing trial for gun-running and treason, accepted government's offer for 'unconditional' amnesty, his lawyer told Reuters.
Okah's lead counsel, Mr. Femi Falana, in a telephone interview with THISDAY confirmed that his client had accepted an unconditional amnesty from the federal government.
He expressed hope that "with the latest development, government would move speedily in the circumstance so that Okah can attend to his faling health condition".
Also, presidential spokesman, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, who spoke on behalf of his boss from Italy, said details of Okah's release still needed to be worked out. According to him, ''the president is delighted to hear that he (Okah) has accepted the amnesty offer. With his acceptance, he will be released when the formalities are concluded.''
According to him, "the President feels elated by the acceptance of the amnesty offer by Mr. Henry Okah and commends the role played by his lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, in the entire process.
''Shortly before he left Abuja yesterday[Wednesday ] afternoon, President Yar'Adua mandated the Attorney General of the federation[AGF] to work with Falana to tidy up the legal process so that Okah's release can be effected.''
The President, Adeniyi further said, also called on the remaining militant leaders ''to avail themselves of the amnesty offer so as to pave way for peace and rapid development in the Niger Delta for which he is strongly committed.''
THISDAY gathered that the new position of Okah was as a result of a meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday night. The meeting was attended by National Security Adviser, Major Gen Sarkim Mukhtar (rtd), minister of interior, Major Gen. Godwin Abbe (rtd), Director General, State Security Service (SSS), Mr Afakirya Gadzama, Director General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr S.Aliyu and Okah's lead counsel, Falana, and Ajuwa. the NSA presided at the meeting.
After the meeting finalised the details of the amnesty, Falana and Ajunwa were mandated to see Okah in Jos prison to explain the implications of the amnesty to him.
Also yesterday, MEND expre-ssed its willingness to have dialogue with the federal government on how to resolve the Niger Delta crisis because its confidence on the sincerity of the administration has been buoyed by the appointment of former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Timi Alaibe, as Honorary Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs.
MEND Spokesman, Gbomo Jomo, in a statement via e-mail said the group would now shop for those that will discuss frankly on their behalf with the federal government.
Jomo said the militants trust Alaibe and ''we consider his appointment an opening of a genuine channel of dialogue since we are sure that whatever our negotiators say would be passed on to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua''.
Another factor that may have ensured that the militants agree to a peace process, according to him, is the acceptance of the amnesty from government by their detained leader, Okah.
MEND said since Okah had no weapons to surrender, his release would be without hitches unless the federal government had a hidden agenda.
The group restated its lack of confidence in the amnesty deal as currently offered since it did not give any room for dialogue especially to allow MEND ventilate on issues that threw up armed agitation in the first place.
“The recent appointment of Mr. Timi Alaibe as the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs by the Nigerian government is a humble and welcome development that is in line with the two pronged approach of our current campaign codenamed Hurricane Moses.
“With this channel of communication finally opened, MEND will put together it's team of frank negotiators to pass our demands and expectations to the President through Mr. Alaibe, a man we respect and can work with.
“MEND does not believe the current amnesty offer is directed at freedom fighters because there is no room for any form of dialogue and the issues that provoked armed agitation was never featured.
“We support Henry Okah's decision to accept any deal that will ensure his early release to attend to his failing health under the current circumstances. Since he has no weapons to surrender, the deal should be a straight forward one except the government has another trick up its sleeve,” MEND said.
Also commenting on the need to resolve the Niger Delta crisis, Alaibe, said the regional crisis had reached a defining point'' needing an urgent and renewed commitment, determination and practical solutions by all stakeholders' '
"I belief strongly that this family crisis can and must be resolved once and for all in the interest of the region and our dear country.
“I am therefore enjoining all stakeholders, particularly agitating groups, to embrace the fatherly hand of Mr. President whose amnesty offer and transparent determination to resolve the Niger Delta imbroglio is novel,'' the former Managing Director of NDDC said on phone yesterday evening.

 

N50BN AMNESTY PACKAGE: We want fiscal federalism, not amnesty —MEND

PoliticsJun 25, 2009
By Samneul Oyadongha, Emmanuel Aziken, Jimitota Onoyume and Dapo Akinrefon
MEND spokesman,Jomo Gbomo while responding to Vanguard inquiry said it is either the President amnesty will offer hope or dismay to the blighted region which for decades have been criminally neglected by the Nigerian state.
His words, “the President address will either offer hope or dismay. If he breaks away from the tradition and fear of the past where other regions are afraid of fiscal federalism then we have a problem on our hands. If he makes a bold step, then Nigeria will turn around for the better.
“We are preparing for war and for peace; depending on what he says. Either way, we are prepared to respond at short notice.
“We hope the FGN will consider justice in every decision it makes because without it, every effort or development will come to naught and the circle will repeat itself at a later date. This is what we want to avoid.”
“It is a shame that the interior minister and his cohorts are offering bribes and incentives to militants in a desperate attempt to get our cooperation in sharing the 50billion Naira budgeted for the amnesty exercise.

President Yar'Adua
“While it is true that some of us will succumb to the temptation of money as Judas did, there are a majority that will remain steadfast to integrity, honour and a commitment to the people who can not fight for their rights.
We want to reassure our people who are looking up to us that we will never compromise our birthright for a price.
Amnesty should not replace Tech. C’ ttee report —Ijaw leaders
The Ijaw elders, including former Federal Information Commissioner, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Elders Forum, Chief Francis Doukpola, Chief Thompson Okorotie, said though the federal government offer of amnesty is one of the rule of disarmament, the offer should have been preceded by the implementation of the recommendations of the report submitted by the Technical committee on the Niger Delta.
The elders and leaders, at the end of a consultative meeting held at Kiagbodo in Delta State , said:
“We hope the acceptance of amnesty will not put the technical report in the dilemma of lack of political will to implement like previous reports,” they lamented.
The elders and leaders further reiterated their earlier position that the continued presence of the military in the Niger Delta region serves more of their personal (military) interests and a direct effect on the increased illegal bunkering activities and called on President Umaru Yar’Adua to make public the alleged list of those perpetrating illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta region.
The forum noted that the demilitarization of the region is critical and essential to allow for meaningful intervention by the elders and leaders to create an atmosphere congenial for flourishing economic activities for sustainable development of the region.
According to the forum, the genuine protagonists of the struggle for economic freedom and resource control and management were only constrained to express their dissatisfaction with the Nigerian state through the employ of unorthodox means.
The Ijaw elders and leaders reiterated their strong disapproval of criminal activities associated with kidnapping and hijacking for ransom stressing that recent developments in the country have confirmed their belief on this as criminal elements in other parts of the country have become more ferociously engaged in acts of kidnapping than the alleged Niger Delta militants.
“Today, we have more cases of kidnapping in other parts of the country than the Niger Delta. This further emphasizes the need to separate genuine agitators for their rights (economic and political freedom) from core criminals in the Niger Delta crises,” they explained.
The forum noted with sadness that seven months after the submission of the Report of the Technical Committee on Niger Delta, the Federal Government has taken no concrete step to implement any of its recommendation which had the prospects of ushering in the much needed peace for sustainable development of region.
The issue goes beyond money — Dr Joe Odumakin , National Coordinator, CD
The issues in the Niger Delta go beyond just throwing money. There are real issues like environmental degradation, resource control and reputable resource formula. It has come to a time when the Federal Government should not see the whole of the Niger Delta as oil wells. People have lost everything, it’s just a question of voting money that will solve this whole problem.
And why is it that with the money that has been voted into the Niger Delta Ministry has not been able to solve the problems. We still have more and more problems springing up, the N50 billion is just to make oil flow again, without really addressing the fundamental issue and that’s just like abandoning leprosy to look for the cure for eczema. Not until you cure the whole thing, the disease will eat up everyone.
The step the Federal Government should take is to address all the issues that have been mentioned. The people are talking about resource control, they are also talking about equity derivation, they are talking about degradation; it’s not a hundred meters race, it’s a gradual process. But the people should see the sincerity on the part of the Federal Government to address these degradation of their soil and to also make sure that, it’s not just to provide money for the boys, but for a wholesome solution to all the problems confronting them as a nation.
The amnesty package is not gong to work because it’s like not curing the disease and at the end of the day, the disease will eat everyone up.
Don’t bribe militants out of the struggle — Otunba Gani Adams, National Coordinator, OPC
I don’t think bribing the militants out of the struggle, will work .
The struggle started with Isaac Adaka Boro. After his death, people like Ken Saro-Wiwa surfaced and when Ken Saro-Wiwa was killed, people like Oronto Douaglas, Ledum Mitee, the Ijaw National Congress emerged.
A permanent solution should be found to solve the region’s crisis, like addressing the issue of resource control.
The consequence of this move is that if those currently in the struggle accept this package on the basis of amnesty, other groups will arise and things will be more volatile than what we have now.
My suggestion to the Federal Government is that the issue of resource control, derivation principle, the issue of sovereign national conference should be addressed instead of bribing these people out of the struggle.
Even if they are given N50billion, within the space of three to four months, the money would have been expended and they would in turn go back to the struggle and again, more groups will emerge because the struggle has become lucrative. It’s no longer a struggle but business.
Marshall plan should accompany package — Ayogu Eze, Senate spokesman
SENATE spokesman, Senator Ayogu Eze has welcomed the Federal Government’s amnesty plan for Niger Delta militants but called for the proposals to be consolidated into a comprehensive development plan for the region.
Responding to the amnesty proposals for aggrieved Niger Delta militants, he asserted that the amnesty plans should be accompanied with development schemes that would assuage the bitterness of the aggrieved people.
According to him:
“Amnesty is a form of administration deployed by the President to achieve some result because what is happening in the Niger Delta is quite disturbing. I think that the Niger Delta issue needs a very holistic approach. The President is doing his best, the creation of the Ministry of Niger Delta is in order, the sustenance of the Niger Delta Development Commission is in order.”
“We need to do a Marshall plan for the development of the region so that we can harness the resources that are going into the Niger Delta both at the level of the state governments and at the level of the Federal agencies so that we can all collectively develop that place, eliminate the poverty in the area and increase the standard of living of the people.”
“I believe that apart from trying to confront the issue of militancy we also need to do a lot of work on the part of government to assuage the feelings of the people.”
We want genuine pardon — Ijaws, militants
Felix Tuodolor is the found ing President Ijaw Youth Council, (IYC) and one of the leading activists in the Niger Delta region. He spoke to Vanguard on the Federal Government’s amnesty to the militants.
“THE granting of amnesty was one of the conditions we gave because it would create a conducive environment for combatants to come out of their camps. But we didn’t mean amnesty was all about pardon for combatants. Amnesty is wider; there are atrocities that have been committed against the region and the combatants. We said for the sake of peace, all parties should over look all the damages committed on both sides. The Federal Government’s amnesty is for combatants to come out of the creeks. We want it gazetted so that it will have legal backing, so that another government does not come on board to jettison it.
“If the Federal Government cannot handle it, then it should pass it on to the National Assembly. We want the international community to be part of it. Amnesty is something done all over the world. USA has a framework on amnesty. We believe that when the international community is brought into the whole thing it would make it enjoy the confidence of combatants and other stake holders. It is also our suggestion that the amnesty should include those awaiting trial and in the creeks. All persons that have been part of the struggle to liberate the region from poverty and underdevelopment.
“For the amnesty being offered to militants in the region to be meaningful the government should ensure that it also comes with a genuine programme for developing the area.
In his own remarks, a public conflict and crisis management consultant, Bar Anthony Richard who spoke to Vanguard in Port Harcourt said the government should complete its process of consensus building in the region by engaging various groups just as he enjoined the region to give the Federal Government a chance to realize its vision for the area. “As the Federal Government is looking at the issue of amnesty it should also look at the immediate execution of projects in the region. This will make the people take the Federal Government serious.”
The conflict management expert further hailed steps so far taken by the Federal Government in tackling challenges in the region. But quickly noted that there was urgent need for the government to immediately implement recommendations of the Technical Committee on Niger Delta ( TCND).
He continued: “Yar Adua has tried in terms of consensus building in resolving the Niger Delta crisis. He is living up to his promises of resolving the crisis in the region. This has shown that he is ready to resolve the problem. He is listening to the yearnings of the people in terms of development.

 

‘MEND ‘Commanders’ yet to accept amnesty offer’

Shola O'Neil

By Shola O'Neil
Published on 25/06/2009
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) yesterday denied reports that its top ‘Commanders’-Farah Dagogo, Boyloaf and Soboma George - had accepted the Federal Government’s offer of amnesty to militants.

It said the report of the acceptance of amnesty was being orchestrated by government agents, stressing that the ongoing Hurricane Alpha Piper (oil war) was very much on course.

The militant group accused the Federal Government of using the Interior Affairs Minister, Gen. Godwin Abbe, to bribe militants with the N50 billion package,claiming that money was to be shared by top government officials.

In an e-mail statement sent to reporters, MEND spokesman Jomo Gbomo said: "The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) categorically denies the orchestrated rumours being peddled by government agents and propagandists that MEND senior commanders, Farah Dagogo, Boyloaf and Soboma George have accepted to receive amnesty by proxy as carried in some local newspapers.

"It is a shame that the Interior Minister and his cohorts are offering bribes and incentives to militants in a desperate attempt to get our cooperation in sharing the N50billion budgeted for the amnesty exercise.

"While it is true that some of us will succumb to the temptation of money as Judas did, there are a majority that will remain steadfast to integrity, honour and a commitment to the people who can not fight for their rights.

"We want to reassure our people who are looking up to us that we will never compromise our birthright for a price.

"MEND is waiting to hear if President Yar’Adua has anything new to offer in his expected address on Thursday, June 25 before responding accordingly.

"Meanwhile, Hurricane Piper Alpha remains on course."

 

Dokubo Released, Says Amnesty A Fraud

*He Was Never Arrested - Yar'Adua

*Count Us Out Of N50b Deal - MEND

*FG Loses 1.3m Barrels Daily To Crises Says NNPC

By Chesa Chesa, Otei Oham, Sule Lazarus (Abuja), Emma Gbemudu (Yenagoa), Tunke-Aye Bisina (Asaba) Wale Igbintade and Francis Iwuchukwu (Lagos)

President Umaru Yar'Adua did a quick one on Wednesday by ordering the release of Mujahideen Dokubo-Asari, whose arrest by the State Security Services (SSS) the previous day simply played into the hands of militants who doubt his sincerely about amnesty.

Insurgent leaders Ateke Tom and Soboma George are among those who say they would give up violence for the olive branch, but cite Abuja's antecedents for shifting the goal post in the middle of the game.

After his release on Wednesday, Dokubo declared the amnesty offer as a fraud, even though Yar'Adua clarified that he was never arrested, and pledged to return peace and stability to the Niger Delta by the end of this year.

Yar'Adua spoke at a press conference held jointly at the Villa with Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, who came on a one-day visit.

He said Dokubo "was not arrested or detained. He was invited by the (SSS) for debriefing which is a normal routine. He was asked to go just a few hours later.

"So, there was no arrest or detention. What happened does not amount to arrest or detention."

Yar'Adua promised to keep his word by announcing today the terms of the amnesty.

By his own account, however, Dokubo - leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF) - was nabbed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on arrival from Germany where he had been since May 23 for medical check up.

And Aso Rock Spokesman, Olusegun Adeniyi, said Yar'Adua directed the SSS to free him after he was briefed.

Adeniyi did not disclose why Dokubo was arrested, let alone why he was released.

Dokubo first had a brush with the law on September 20, 2005 when he was arrested on charges of treason and imprisoned.

He was released on June 14, 2007 and has since moderated his militant stance.

He has publicly disavowed violence and spoken out against the rise of criminality in the Niger Delta, especially kidnapping for ransom.

But after he broke free of the SSS on Wednesday, he told journalists at the office of his Lagos lawyer, Festus Keyamo, that accepting the amnesty offer would rubbish the struggle of Ijaw leaders such as Isaac Boro.

In his view, "everything is wrong with this amnesty; it's meant to divert the struggle, so it is a fraud, and will not work until the issue of sovereignty is resolved. This jamboree called amnesty will not succeed, it is useless.

"Amnesty means that you are being pardoned for committing a crime. Yar'Adua is standing like God giving out amnesty, but what is the fundamental of our struggle which Saro Wiwa and Isaac Boro laid down their lives for?

"The issue is about sovereignty, nationhood, and the identity of a people. So for me, I cannot receive amnesty from anybody, I have done nothing wrong by taking up arms to protect my father's land.

"When did they decide to give amnesty? It was when they realised that they are losing the battle. They realised that the economic fortune of the country is dwindling, and all of a sudden amnesty became desirable.

"We do not want to die, I have a Fulani wife, I have a child that is going to be half Fulani and half Ijaw, a hybrid between Fulani and Ijaw; and I wonder what the child will look like when he grows up.

"I don't want to fight, I have four wives and 24 children, and more children are still coming, so I don't want to die. But I respect my dignity more that any other thing."

Dokubo said Tom Polo, who is "still in the country," is the best material the government has to bring peace to the Niger Delta because he is respected by everybody, "level headed and does not kill people, and does not believe in kidnapping."

Despite his skepticism about the amnesty, he said he would "support anybody in the oil community who has the capability to explore crude oil as long as he follows environmental best practices, so that he will not also join in damaging of our environment. As long as he complies with this I will support him, even with my life.

"What right does Femi Otedola and Aliko Dangote and others have to take our oil while somebody from the oil community does not have the right to take it?"

Dokubo insisted that kidnapping and bank robbery are not part of the struggle, because "ours is a moral and just struggle, we cannot use the same weapon used by the enemy.

"Yesterday (Tuesday), I was confined at the Murtala Mohammed Airport against my wish; I did not find it funny. Why would you take somebody against his will and collect money in order to release him? No, it's not moral, I will not support it; I will not be part of it, and I will continue to call such a person a criminal."

Keyamo noted that because of Dokubo's latest ordeal, "Those who would have embraced the peace process will shy away. It shows that the government is not sincere. The whole amnesty is a grand trap to lure the militants out and imprison them."

Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy Chairman, Ighoyota Amori, countered that "we are happy that (Yar'Adua) has ordered his release. The arrest almost truncated the spirit of the amnesty. We are grateful for his timely intervention which was capable of sending the wrong signal. The release will strengthen the amnesty."

But Jomo Gbomo, Spokesman for the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), insisted that the MEND would not lay down its arms and partake in the N50 billion amnesty deal on the table.

He condemned the arrest of Dokubo, and said "it is a shame that the Interior Minister (Godwin Abbe) and his cohorts are offering bribes and incentives to militants in a desperate attempt to get our co-operation in sharing the N50 billion budgeted for the amnesty exercise."

The conflict, as confirmed on Wednesday by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), costs the country 1.3 million barrels of crude oil per day when it is expected to produce about 2.4 million barrels to meet the needs of the citizens.

NNPC General Manager, Gabby Meheux, confirmed to the House of Representatives Niger Delta Probe Committee that 1.3 million barrels are lost daily.

 

Niger Delta crisis: Nigeria loses 1.3m barrels of crude oil daily - NNPC

Kolawole Daniel, Abuja - 25.06.2009

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said that the country is currently losing 1.3 million barrels of crude oil daily with the attendant shutdown of all the country’s four refineries.

Group Managing Director of NNPC, Muhammed Barkindo, disclosed this before the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Niger Delta, headed by Honourable Abdul Ningi, saying the problem was due to the ongoing destructive activities of the Niger- Delta militants.

Barkindo, while declaring that the corporation could only boast of crude oil that could last for only 15 days, said that nearly all the pipelines supplying crude oil to Kaduna refinery and others had been vandalised by the militants.

Barkindo, who was represented by NNPC General Manager, Gabby Meheux, noted that the affected refineries would not become operational again until the pipelines supplying crude to them were repaired.

“Not too long ago, the pipelines supplying crude oil were damaged and will not be functional until the repairs are carried out. We only have crude oil that will last for 15 days of operation. We have it reserved for the TAM of the Kaduna refinery.

“We have cumulative shortage of 1.3 million barrels per day taking the situation of vandalisation of Shell, Chevron and Agip facilities.

“We have seen the escalation of the activities of the militants targeting petroleum facilities. This has resulted in the vandalisation of the oil facilities of Shell, Chevron and Agip.”

Also speaking, Director, NNPC/ Chevron Joint Venture, Supo Shadiya, told the committee that the venture had suffered a series of vandalism of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region.

According to him, the NGC gas pipeline which supplies 200mmscfd gas to the domestic market was vandalised on May 13, 2009 by the militants.

He also said the ABT-Escravos 12” pipeline which produces 100MBOPD swamp production was vandalised on May 24, 2009 while Escravos-Warri PPMC pipeline used for lifting of 3.5m barrel of crude oil to refinery was vandalised on May 17, 2009 by the militants.

 

Senators accuse Yar’Adua of bias against South

Cover Stories Jun 25, 2009
By Emmanuel Aziken

ABUJA — RISING from a meeting yesterday, Senators from the Southern part of the country, under the umbrella of Southern Senators Forum (SSF) accused President Umaru Yar’Adua of discrimination against the South in his management of the nation’s affairs and condemned the resort to brute force in the resolution of the Niger Delta question.

The Senators also resolved to press for the full application of true federalism in the country in the on-going constitution review process in the National Assembly.
Condemning the use of heavy weapons against fellow Nigerians in the Niger Delta, the Senators warned that success in the military operation against the militants would remain a mirage until the regime of injustice against the region was redressed.

Yesterday’s meeting, which held at the National Assembly was presided over by Senator Patrick Osakwe (Accord Party, Delta North). He is also chairman of the Southern Senators Forum (SSF).

The Senators at the end of the meeting yesterday afternoon mandated its leadership to articulate the grievances of the region for further action in a communiqué that is expected to be issued to the public.

Yesterday’s meeting was upon simmering dissension in the polity over perceived marginalisation of the South in appointments and allocation of projects in the country by the Federal Government.

At the meeting yesterday, Senators particularly flayed what they described as the lopsided appointments made by the administration claiming that the South had been severely marginalised in the sharing of choice appointments by the present administration.

The fate of the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank (CBN), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, was raised as an example of the administration’s marginalisation of the region.

“If Soludo were not a Southerner there is no doubt that he would have had a second term and that was one of the examples of the marginalisation raised,’’ one Senator told Vanguard on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press on the matter.

“We cannot continue with this kind of injustice and that was the tone of the meeting. In fact, justice and marginalisation were the main issues discussed at the meeting,’’ another Senator disclosed.

Besides, it was also resolved that the South should take a common position on the review of the constitution.

The Senators were also reported to have expressed reservation on the use of heavy weaponry in the military operations in the Niger Delta asserting that it was inappropriate to bomb fellow Nigerians indiscriminately.

Vanguard sources among the Southern Senators said that derivation, revenue allocation and creation of more states should be championed.

It was learnt that the Southern Senators would push for creation of an additional state in the South-East, the geopolitical zone with the least number of states in the federation.

“Why should one zone have seven states and another one have five states?’’ one Senator asked.

Several of the lawmakers contacted on the issue yesterday refused to speak on the issue as they claimed that there was an agreement that a communiqué on the meeting be issued by the chairman of the SSF.

However, Vanguard gathered that aside Senator Patrick Osakwwwe, Chairman of the Forum, others present at the meeting were Senators Ayogu Eze, Kola Bajomo, Nkechi Nworgu, Aloysius Etuk, Ume Ekaette, Femi Kila, Bassey Ewah-Henshaw and Victor Ndoma-Egba.

Other were Senators Olorunnimbe Mamora, Hosea Ehinlanwo, Ganiyu Solomon, Nurudeen Muse, Simeon Oduyoye and others.

 

N-Delta – Blame Games

Editorial Jun 25, 2009

ONE major reason the situation in the Niger Delta is irresolvable is that neither governments, nor oil companies accept responsibility for its utter neglect.

Their concerns are about unfettered oil and gas production and the billion of Dollars they make from it. Both parties can really be tagged partners in the sustenance of the abuses that rage in the Niger Delta.

Each occasion that arises to address the issues, leaves governments and the oil companies shifting blames. An event on Monday on environmental issues of the Niger Delta ended on that familiar note.

“Over the years there has been a near total neglect or failure to diligently integrate environmental concerns into oil exploration and production activities by the oil companies.

This region is heavily polluted due to oil spillage, sabotage, pipeline vandalisation, and emission from gas flaring,” Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Ufot Ekaette, a retired federal permanent secretary, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation for eight years under President Olusegun Obasanjo, began, in the sanctimonious tunes that marked the day.

“Oil waste pits and hazardous dumpsites abound in the region while untreated industrial effluents, solid and municipal wastes are discharged with little concern about the environmental impacts.

“Youth restiveness has assumed a high level of criminality in many instances and the primary cause cannot be removed from the gross neglect by the oil companies”.

Chief Ekaette forgot that governments, including ones he served in, made environmental policies the oil companies obeyed, or rejected. Governments can punish oil companies for violations of laws. Did they?

“The choice we made as a nation in our oil industry has something to do with the state of the environment, especially when it comes to gas flaring, Mr. Basil Omiyi, Vice Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria and Chairman, Oil Producers Trade Sector, said in a swift response to the Minister.

“The country was in a hurry to earn income from oil and didn’t quite say we’ll wait until we’re able to utilise the gas before we do so; or it didn’t quite make the policies that enable gas utilisation to happen.

“For example, if oil for export and local refineries, gas to power were part of Nigeria’s energy policy, there would be no gas flaring today, and the power plants will be built in the heart of the Niger Delta, and power will go into the national grid,” Mr. Omiyi concluded.

These positions do nothing for the Niger Delta. Connivance between governments and the oil companies to the disadvantage of the long-suffering people of the region are too well known for Chief Ekaette and Mr. Omiyi to remind us.

We believe they can convert the same zeal with which they have despoiled these areas to new energies for sincerely developing them. They must agree on new agenda to develop the Niger Delta before the oil and gas runs out.

It is a challenge that public recriminations cannot meet.

 

Yar’Adua: N’Delta Crisis’ll End in 6 Months

•Amnesty plans to be unveiled after NCS meeting today
From Juliana Taiwo in Abuja, Ahamefula Ogbu in Port Harcourt and Davidson Iriekpen in Lagos, 06.25.2009

President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua yesterday said with the three-pronged strategy adopted by his administration, among which is the amnesty offer, peace will return to the troubled Niger Delta region by December.
Yar’Adua, while fielding questions during a joint press briefing with his Russian counterpart, President Dimitri Medvedev, at the State House, was however, silent on the two other strategies.
Asked on the assurances he was giving the Russians on their investments in terms of security, the President said after the proclamation of amnesty for militants, he was confident that by the end of the year peace and stability would return to the Niger Delta region.
“I have raised this issue with the Russian President about efforts we are making to restore peace to the Niger Delta. I am confident that at the end of the year using the three-prong approach, peace and security will return to Niger Delta. Amnesty is one of the measures.”
The President also commented on leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, who was reported to have been arrested by security operatives on Tuesday, maintaining that he was not arrested but merely invited for de-briefing by security agents on his return from Germany, after which he was allowed to go.
He said, “when I was informed, Asari was neither arrested nor detained, he was only invited for debriefing on his trip. There was no arrest. This is a normal routine procedure for our security agencies. If you check your sources you will realise he was released after spending few hours.”
Meanwhile, Asari Dokubo has faulted the decision of the Federal Government to grant amnesty to militants in the Niger Delta region.
Dokubo also attributed the idea of amnesty by the government was because the Joint Task Force (JTF) wanted soft-landing.
Speaking at a news conference in Lagos yesterday, the militant leader said when the JTF invade Tompolo's Camp 5, they thought they had won the war against militancy in the region, but discovered when they saw that more oil pipelines and flow stations were still being bombed and destroyed after the invasion that they came up with amnesty.
He also said the amnesty is an opportunity by the government to sweep the real reasons for the agitation by the people of the region under the carpet.
Also yesterday, a militant leader in Bayelsa, popularly known as Gen. Africa, expressed his willingness to surrender his arms.
In a statement in Yenagoa, Africa lauded the Federal Government amnesty offer to militants who were willing to drop their arms in the interest of peace in the region. It quoted Africa, who claimed to be in control of some camps in the Ijaw council area as saying that the offer was an indication that the present administration was prepared to address the various cases of injustice and marginalisation in the region.
It said the militant leader was willing to drop his arms and work in consonance with the ideas and policies of the Federal Government in order to achieve its lofty desires for the overall development of the country.
But the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has denied that any of its lieutenants was involved in the negotiation for Federal Government amnesty offer, alleging that it was a ploy to share the N50 billion budgeted for the exercise.
A statement by Spokesman of MEND, Gbomo Jomo, through the official e-mail address said that federal representatives at the parley were offering monetary inducements to some militants but vowed that members of MEND would remain steadfast.

 

N’Delta: Ijaws flee homes

•As 4000 troops arrive Warri
From MURPHY GANAGANA, Abuja
Monday, June 8, 2009

Panic-striken residents of Burutu, headquarters of the oil rich Burutu council in Delta State, have fled their homes to take refuge in the mangrove forests amidst reports of an impending invasion by troops of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta region.
The development came just as 4000 additional soldiers arrived the Warri base of the JTF in the wee-hours of Saturday to step up the on-going onslaught against militants following the presidency’s approval to the military authorities for the deployment.

At least, five other surrounding Ijaw fishing settlements have also reportedly been deserted as pandemonium ensued over alleged ‘intelligence reports’ that the JTF troops were set to strike at Burutu on Sunday. Besides, some lucky inhabitants, who were able to escape to Ogbe-Ijaw, Warri and other neighbouring communities, several others are said to have taken refuge in the swampy mangrove forests.

“We are in a terrible situation, living in a world of fear and uncertainty. The rumour started on Saturday that JTF men are going to storm Burutu main town and its environs by Sunday. Since people are not willing to be caught unaware as it happened during the Oporoza and Okerenkoko air raids, that was why we have to take to our heels to stay alive. My worry is that there are several aged men and women in their 80s and above, and I don’t know their fate at present because when the news came, there was pandemonium and everybody fled to various direction,” a female civil servant who was lucky to have escaped to Warri told Daily Sun yesterday on telephone.

Chairman of Burutu Local Government Area, Mr. Ekioemi Zuokumo could not be reached for comments on the mass exodus of residents from the council headquarters and its environs, but a senior official who pleaded anonymity confirmed the development, saying a dark cloud of uncertainty presently pervades the area.

Even as unconfirmed reports indicated that the dreaded militant leader declared wanted by the JTF, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, may have fled the country in the wake of an intensive manhunt for him by the security operatives, the main militant group in the region, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), says the attack and dislodgement of Tompolo from his Camp 5 base has no significant military advantage to the Federal Government since it was a failure and MEND has not been affected by the action.

The militant group also faulted JTF’s claim that it was in possession of a document detailing Tompolo’s sponsors, dismissing it as a ploy by government to create scapegoats. “Such a list does not exist, except that they want to create a list of scapegoats. The list Nigerians are keen to see is the one containing the names of those who shared the Halliburton and Siemens bribe,” MEND declared.

Alarm over alleged ‘plot’ to arrest Dokubo-Asari

Shola O’Neil

By Shola O’Neil
Published on 8/06/2009

Apan-Niger Delta group, the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), yesterday warned of an imminent breakdown of law and order in the Niger Delta over alleged plot to arrest its leader, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari.

The group alleged that there was a plot to arrest prominent Niger Delta leaders, including the leader of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).

In a statement signed by NDPVF’s Comrade Rex Anighoro, the group said the plot to arrest Dokubo-Asari came “to the fore as the combined security and military personnel have begun a clampdown on key strategic leaders, activists and freedom fighters of the Niger Delta Liberation Movement.

“The attempt to arrest and kill Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari by the combined security agents of the Nigerian state has exposed the magnitude of the state’s desperation and incapacitation in breaking and engaging the resilience of the people.”

Anighoro criticised last weekend’s arrest of President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Alhaji Yerima Shettima, at his Lagos residence.

“Alhaji Yerima Shettima, who is a very close associate of the flag bearer of the Niger Delta struggle, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, is a staunch progressive force from the North who does not share in the predatory, parasitic and imperialist ideas of most Arewa leaders and elders.

“While interrogating Alhaji Yerima Shettima, they demanded to know the whereabouts of Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari. They also want to know the level of relationship the progressive Arewa Youth leader has with him.

“These and further clampdown on other Ijaw youth leaders, like Dr. Felix Tuodolo, Comrade Emmanuel Jonjon, Famous Daunemiegha and others under any guise poses a grievous threat to peace in the Niger Delta,” Anighoro added.

 

Everyone needs an alliance, even the Ijaw

By Idowu Akinlotan
Published 07/06/09

For far too long, the Ijaw have taken refuge in the justness of their cause to downplay the modern political and strategic realities of joining or forming alliances. In the past few weeks, especially going by the military campaigns against Ijaw towns and settlements, they have probably realised just how lonely they are, and how urgently they must take appropriate remedial steps to stave off the disaster that is looming over their future. As Ijaw leaders argued, the stability of Nigeria had been threatened by many criminal elements operating out of many ethnic groups all over Nigeria without attracting the kind of massive onslaught launched by troops of the Federal Government’s Joint Military Task Force (JTF). But perhaps because of the strategic mineral resources buried in the bowels of the Niger Delta, the persistent disturbances in the region, and the open fact that the Ijaw seemed to belong to no strategic alliance – if anything, by their voting patterns over the years, they seemed to be allied with the conservative North – they became vulnerable to the kind of attacks they are witnessing today.

To worsen the Ijaw problem, they, like other ethnic groups in Nigeria (apart from the Hausa-Fulani) , lack the zeal and carefulness to undertake a deep appreciation of their place and importance in the country. This fact may be shocking to many people who have taken for granted that in federalism, strategic political, religious/cultural and social alliances may be unnecessary. However, what is often glossed over is that in practice Nigeria is neither a federation nor yet a nation. To a large extent, therefore, primordial ties still shape the country’s power structure so openly that it would be foolish to ignore alliances or suggest that alliance formation has become outdated.

It is indisputable today that the Ijaw are alone in their battles with the Federal Government. No one is rallying to their side. It is also established that the rest of Nigeria cynically and grudgingly concede that the Ijaw have a just cause, but that they were foolish or even complicit to have allowed criminal elements to hijack the fight for justice, equity and fairness. But they are not the only ones who have been remiss in taking the right political steps to guarantee their place and future in Nigeria. Others have only been lucky. Even though the Yoruba recognize the need for an alliance, they have seldom pursued it with the vigour and cleverness the situation calls for. Since Chief Obafemi Awolowo tried to bring northern and eastern minorities into a power alliance but achieved limited success, little has been done subsequently to understand whether the matter couldn’t be approached differently.

Partly because of the intense rivalry between Yoruba and Igbo intelligentsia, no enduring alliance has ever been formed between the two. In both the First and Second Republics, the mainstream Igbo always felt more comfortable in an alliance with the North. The paradox is that the shared religious and cultural experiences of the Yoruba and Hausa have never been sufficient to induce the two ethnic groups into an alliance. Both the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) and the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP, or Demo) represented the few peripheral attempts to break the alliance jinx between the Yoruba and Igbo on one hand and between the Yoruba and Hausa on the other hand. This state of affairs is all the more amusing because ideologically, an alliance between the Yoruba and Igbo, while it may not necessarily guarantee stability, looked more realistic.

The general impression today is that the North (in the liberal sense of the word) is locked in a battle for leadership supremacy with the Southwest, and that the Southeast feels more like a political and economic rival to the Southwest. The equations have not changed among the big three. It is in fact among the minorities that political flux has been more evident. Underneath, a large swathe of the Middle Belt, or what is now referred to as the North Central, still distrusts the dominant hegemonic, religious and cultural ethos of the North. But 10 years of contrived electoral outcomes have obfuscated the lines separating the politics of the minorities from that of the majority through a complex process mediated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The minorities of the Northeast, like those of the North Central, no longer see their political objectives as different from those of the majority, notwithstanding the occasional social and religious flare-ups that shake the entire region. After the brief era of association between the Southwest and the minorities of the South-South, specifically Calabar-Ogoja- Rivers (COR) axis during the First Republic, the region has lapsed into conservatism that sees them ‘voting’ for and with the North. Apart from MKO Abiola’s victory in 1993, the axis went for Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who was the candidate of the North, and has remained with the PDP since then, to the detriment of the zone.

If the Southwest has been amateurish in alliance formation, the Southeast has been even more so; while the COR axis always waits to be taken. Since the First Republic there has not been a time when the Southeast actively defined its short, medium or long term interests, nor used every means at its disposal to pursue those interests no matter how amorphous or short-sighted. . For a number of reasons, among which are population and economy, neither the Southeast nor the COR axis, have tried to play the dominant role or senior partner in alliance formations. The perennial struggle between the North and Southwest is not too far removed from the fact that both try to play senior partners in their alliances. Even when the Southwest offered to play second fiddle to the Southeast in the First Republic, it did so as the prime mover and inspiration of the alliance and in recognition of certain medium to long-run strategic calculations.

While it is clearly evident today that the Ijaw (a part of the COR axis) are suffering the consequences of being the unthinking and unreflective junior partner in the alliance with the conservative North – a pain the Southeast experienced before and during the civil war – the Southwest has strangely become ossified in forming alliances. Using Obasanjo, who in spite of his fanciful show of independence is at bottom more pro-North than he is pro-Southwest, the North has regained firmer control of the levers of power. When it seemed it had conceded power in order to mitigate anger over the annulment of June 12, 1993 elections, the North in fact was calculating that at best Obasanjo could be pliable and at worst would remain neutral. At any rate, the North was calculating. And either by design or by coincidence, it has now re-established the same political equation and atmosphere as it superintended in the closing years of the First Republic (when it organised the Demo alliance) in which a powerful and wealthy political grouping within the Southwest is attempting to neutralise or liquidate the dominant progressive ethos of the region.

Using federal powers and machinery, mostly unlawfully, the powerful group in the Southwest, now resident in the PDP, has begun actively, but perhaps unknowingly, to play the role the NNDP (Demo) played in the First Republic. Stripped of its modern dressings, the powerful group in the Southwest is today represented by governors and top politicians in the PDP. They use propaganda, instigate the State and call on federal powers to checkmate the resurgence of progressivism and to decapitate the movement’s leadership. What the covert and overt but shifting alliances in the Southwest is demonstrating is that most politicians previously believed to be progressive either actually believe in nothing or are at bottom conservative. Furthermore, having lent themselves to the antinomian role of fighting and denying the reigning ideology of their region, they have become the junior unthinking partner in an alliance whose shape, structure and objectives are too complex for them to grasp.

It is dangerous for any region, zone or people to abjure alliance formation. As this column pointed out a few months ago the unsuccessful effort by Awolowo to colour the struggle for power in ideological hue, and, much more, his inability to install progressivism at the centre of Nigerian politics, has cost the country dearly. Since the departure of Awolowo, it is only now that we are beginning to witness the recrudescence of ideological politics, but with all the painful attachments of betrayal, conspiracy and envy. Yet, there is no other way to stabilize Nigeria or cause it to grow and develop without sharply dividing its politics along competing ideologies.

The Ijaw have today come to a sad junction in their existence as a people. So far, they have not enjoyed the leadership that could selflessly aggregate their aspirations and brilliantly design the mechanics of achieving the Ijaw national objectives. That, indeed, is the first problem they must solve. Then they must follow up by drawing a line between the people and the militants on one hand, and a sound, passionate and purposeful leadership on the other hand. Furthermore, after synthesizing their goals, they must purposefully enter into an alliance with a group with which they agree ideologically for the purpose of advancing the development and stability of a Nigeria in which the Ijaw would receive equity, justice and fairness. They must not assume that even if the JTF ends its campaign today, and Abuja grants the Ijaw some concessions, all would be well. Any respite should be used to re-strategise.

The Southwest progressives should see the Ijaw crisis as a warning that the formation of alliances, which pursuit was de-emphasised after Awolowo, is part of the politics of power, development and stability. The formation of alliances, as some historians argue, does not necessarily lead to war or instability. Instead it can engender compromise, consensus, stability and justice. The Southwest is best placed to advance the formation of ideological alliances to redirect Nigerian politics away from ethnic and religious extremism. The new Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, for instance, suggested that little emphasis be placed on theory and ideology in the pursuit of our developmental efforts. He suggests taking practical steps to rebuild infrastructure and power. These may be what the moment needs. But for any long-term and lasting development to take place, it must be in the context of ideologies. The questions that must first be asked are: how do we want to proceed and what must we do?

Southwest progressive leaders cannot afford to be distracted. There will always be "enemies" within. There will always be a Federal Government keen to be mobilized against what its Southwest collaborators call "threats" to stability. And there will always be those who equate passionate ideological positions and causes with personal aggrandizement. But the unavoidable fact is that except we recast our struggle in ideological colours, we would be condemned to fighting petty ethnic, personal and extremist battles in the quest to develop. The Ijaw debacle has shown us where the problems lie. Do we have the courage and initiative to do what is needful?

 

Mass arrest of Ijaw youth leaders in Bayelsa

Isaac Ombe

By Isaac Ombe
Published on 6/06/2009
As the battle between militants in the Niger Delta region and the Federal Government owned Joint Military Task Force (JTF) operatives in the region rages on, a clampdown on Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) members may have commenced in Bayelsa State as three former presidents of the Council have been arrested.

Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said the development is part of Government’s efforts to suppress political dissent to the on-going military attacks on the region.

Dr. Felix Tuodolo, Emmanuel Jonjon and Famous Daunemughan were arrested by the police on Friday in Yenagoa.

However, the police disclosed that the arrest was in connection with the shooting of one of their colleagues, Mike Wenibowei by some unknown gun men Thursday night along Otiotio/Erepa Road in the state capital.

The three IYC activists were reportedly leaving Webowei’s house for Government House in a convoy to arrange for accommodation for Tuodolo the pioneer IYC president who had just arrived Yenagoa when the gun men attacked Wenibowei’s Hilux van.

It was learnt that the gun men opened fire on Wenibowei’s car continuously to the chagrin of eye witnesses at the scene.

Tuodolo escaped and made for the police. On getting back to the scene, the gun men had escaped as good Samaritans rushed the blood-drenched Wenibowei to the Government House Clinic before he was later transferred to the Federal Medical Center (FMC).

It was learnt that he had undergone two operations at the FMC.

At the Ekeki Police Station where the trio of Jonjon, Daunemughan and Tuodolo are being detained, Tuodolo who spoke to journalists recounted his experience.

According to him, the gun men who accosted them came in a C - class Mercedes car and stopped in between his car and that of Wenibowei.

They opened the bonnet of the car (C - class) and acted as if they were trying to check some faults, and in the process, make phone calls.

At this point, one out of the three occupants of the car started spraying bullets at Wenibowei and his Hilux Van.

All attempts by Wenibowei to escape from the gun man was in vain as the gun man was following the moving vehicle, revealed Tuodolo.

The latter described the incident as a nightmare which he is yet to recover from.

According to him, he heard about nine gun shots during the shoot out.

It was learnt that Daunemugaha who was also a former Deputy President of the IYC was not at the scene of last Thursday night attack on the IYC stalwarts but sources said he was invited and detained by the police following his recent uncomplimentary statements against the incumbent administration.

Daunemugha was the Special Adviser to Governor Timipre Sylva on Youths Mobilization and Conflict Resolution before he resigned about three months ago.

Last Thursday, at a press briefing, besides re-echoing reasons behind his resignation from the Sylva-led administration, the IYC stalwart also alleged that there has been a threat to his life since he resigned from the Government last March.

"I have been receiving texts of threat to my life on my mobile telephone set", he alleged adding that "most of the threatening messages were sent on hidden GSM numbers while the few that had numbers could not be reached after such texts" said Daunemughan.

Governor Timipre Sylva has, however, responded to the verbal attacks on his administration by his former special adviser on Mobilization, saying he was not after anyone.

In a statement titled: Governor Sylva is not after anyone', from the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Ola Doufie, Sylva said the allegations against the governor were unfounded.

"We regard these charges as unfounded, reckless and provocative. Governor Sylva is not a vindictive person that would want to ruin anyone's business over a non-issue as an aide tendering a resignation for politically motivated reasons".

He expressed dismay that at the time of Daunemughan' s resignation, he told the whole world that he was leaving office to go and contest for the Chairmanship of Ekeremor Local Government Area, only to now turn around to say that his resignation was because of lack of focus of the administration.

"To now turn around and make other wild claims, at a time the state is waiting to welcome Mr. President to come and commission the governor's completed projects, shows his ethical orientation. Well, we know it that in our clime not a few political jobbers move from commendation to condemnation and back to commendation only if the price is right! We know who Mr. Daunemughan' s masters are. Let the real masquerade come out!"

The statement added that only someone who is paranoid can make such a wild claim that Bayelsa State has not been positively transformed under Governor Sylva.

 

N’Delta: 3 more Ijaw communities razed

...4000 additional troops deployed to beef up JTF
From MURPHY GANAGANA, Abuja
Friday, June 5, 2009

After about 10 days of fragile peace, tension has erupted again in the coastal Ijaw communities in Delta State, as three more villages were razed by troops of the Joint Military Task Force [JTF] in the troubled Niger Delta region between late Wednesday and 3.30pm yesterday.

This is coming barely 24 hours after the House of Representatives made a U-turn from its earlier support for military action and cautioned authorities at the Defence Headquarters against full application of force in routing out militants from their various camps and hideouts.

Dependable sources hinted Daily Sun that JTF troops on Wednesday stormed Tungbo and Akangbene villages with a large contingent using over 10 gunboats.

During the operation, entire structures and other properties were reduced to rubble. The two Ijaw villages are in Gbaramatu Kingdom, in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State
Daily Sun further gathered that just as the dust from the surprise attack was yet to settle, the JTF at about 3.30pm yesterday, raided Goba Town, another Ijaw community on the fringes of Chanomi Creek, which is also said to have been completely razed. The casualty figure including the dead and wounded could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, but over 2000 villagers comprising mostly women, children and the aged, are said to be currently trapped in the mangrove forests.

Meanwhile, the Presidency has reportedly approved the deployment of 4000 additional troops to beef up the JTF operations. Top security sources said the troops are made up of soldiers drawn from various military formations, and are expected to arrive the JTF headquarters by weekend or early next week.

However, the House of Representatives had on Tuesday at a closed-door meeting of its Committees on the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defence, attended by the three Service Chiefs, the Minister of State for Defence, Ademola Seriki, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Paul Dike, kicked against full military action in the Niger Delta on the grounds that “we are not fighting war against Nigerians”.

ALL NIGER DELTA SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN MEETING ON SATURDAY 23 MAY 2009.

Agenda: The current military actions in the Niger Delta

We the people of the Niger Delta in the UK have agreed to come together under the umbrella of the Niger Delta Solidarity Campaign to work together towards creating awareness in the western world, especially in the UK, about the conflict in our homeland.

We wish to engage in a campaign to actively inform the media,
parliamentarians, western governments and also disseminate information to the general public about the atrocities being committed in our homeland by the Nigerian military authorities.

We owe it to our fathers, mothers and children at home to use our
privileged position of living in the UK, far away from the media black- out, oppression and military controls to bring the plight of our oppressed people to the attention of the world.

Together we can help to bring an immediate cessation of the ongoing military onslaught on our people, and contribute to positive change and a peaceful resolution of the Niger Delta crisis.

Lets not forget that as well as the military activities; there is a
propaganda war that is being waged against our people. The federal government and it’s state organs are painting a picture to the world that the on going campaign is against criminals and militants, but we know that it is our fathers, mothers and children that are being massacred.

RESOLUTIONS

1.We have agreed to hold public demonstrations at the Nigerian high commission in London to protest against the current and on-going military onslaught against our people. Date, time and place will be communicated to you as soon as possible.

2. A petition will be sent to the United Nation, British Prime
Minister, UK House of parliament, European Union office in London and other international organizations.

3. We will be organizing a church service to pray for the souls of all the innocent people that have lost their lives in our homeland in the present and past military campaigns by the Nigerian military. Please find details below:

DATE: SATURDAY 30TH MAY 2009

TIME: ALL TO BE SEATED BY 1.30 PM
SERVICE STARTS AT 2PM TO 3PM

REFRESHMENTS AT CHURC HALL FROM 3PM TO 4.30PM

ADDRESS:

PARISH CHURCH OF OUR LADY
54 LODGE ROAD
ST JOHN'S WOOD
LONDON NW8 8LA

LODGE ROAD IS BETWEEN PARK ROAD AND LISSON GROVE IN ST JOHN'S WOOD
LODGE ROAD IS BESIDE LORDS CRICKET GROUND.

NEAREST UNDERGROUND IS ST JOHN'S WOOD STATION.

3. We intend to take out full-page colored advertisements in some UK newspapers to explain the perspective of the Niger Delta people, subject to Niger Delta community members contributing the necessary resources for us to make this possible.

4. We wish to form alliances with all Niger Delta organizations,
humanitarian organizations and all other similar organizations that
would be sympathetic to our cause.

5. We wish to explore the possibility of taking litigation against the
perpetrators of these crimes against humanity that are being committed against our people in the international courts.

We will be setting up the following committees to co-ordinate the
affairs of the campaign.

1. A legal committee
2. A public relations/media committee
3. An information/Data collection Committee
4. A strategic planning committee

A provisional committee was set up to organize and supervise the
implementation of the resolutions adopted.

We are calling on ALL sons and daughters of the Niger Delta region and all others who oppose the brutal and atrocious actions of the Nigerian authorities to join us in this campaign.  Let us put our differences to rest and come together for the common good of our shared heritage, people and land.

Another meeting will be held soon. The date, time and place will be communicated to you.

You are all called upon to reach out to all your friends, relatives
and other people from our region and anywhere in the world that you know, by email, phone or text messages, so that we can effectively mobilize more people in this campaign.

Inemo Samiama

Cordinator for the Niger Delta Solidarity campaign

http://punditz.typepad.com/niger_delta_solidarity_gr/

 

U.S. Senator Russ Feingold issues statement on Niger Delta crisis and current attacks by Nigerian Military

 
May 22, 2009, Seattle – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold today issued a statement on the nine-day, continuing Nigerian military offensive in the Niger Delta. Feingold expressed concern about civilian casualties and refugees, and called on the Nigerian government to address underlying causes of the crisis in the region. He also urged the Obama administration to enjoin a multilateral effort to help end the crisis. Feingold is a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
 
The attacks by the Joint Task Force (JTF) of the Nigerian military began May 13th. Unconfirmed reports put civilian casualty figures as high as 2,000 and the number of refugees as high as 20,000. It’s reported that at least five villages have been razed by the JTF. At last report, the region was blockaded by the Nigerian military and aid workers were unable to get food, water and medical assistance to the injured and displaced, many of whom have fled into the bush. Journalists and human rights groups have also been barred.
 
“We applaud Senator Feingold’s statement. It’s critical that high profile people speak out in this moment calling for an end to the violence and highlighting the tragic toll on civilians,” says Sandy Cioffi, filmmaker and director of Sweet Crude, a documentary about the Niger Delta currently screening at film festivals. “I am heartened by his understanding of what it will take to achieve peace in the region and encourage the U.S. government to get involved as he urges. I believe that can be very influential. The region is on the brink – we must pay attention before it devolves into full-scale war.”
 
“The military attacks in the Niger Delta are a tragedy for local villagers that is becoming a humanitarian crisis,” says Laura Livoti, founder of Justice in Nigeria Now (JINN). “I hope more U.S. officials will take the lead from Senator Feingold and work toward a negotiated peace settlement between all parties in Nigeria that promotes justice in the region. The United States is heavily dependent on Nigerian oil for its own energy needs, and a resolution to this crisis is in the long-term interest of the United States as well.”  
 
 
Please see below:
Senator Feingold’s statement May 22
Amnesty International’s statement May 21
More information at www.sweetcrudemovie .com/attacks
 
------------ ----
For Immediate Release – May 22, 2009
Contact: Zach Lowe or Katie Rowley – (202) 224-8657
 

Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold
On the Nigerian military's ongoing offensive in the Niger Delta
 

“I am very concerned by reports that hundreds of civilians have been killed and potentially thousands displaced by the Nigerian military’s ongoing offensive in Nigeria’s oil-rich Delta region.  Some military actions may be justified to stop the criminality, kidnappings and killings by militants in the Niger Delta, but such measures should be accompanied by a larger political strategy.  Genuine peacemaking will require not only legitimate political negotiations but a convincing case for transforming the illicit war economy into one of peace.  The Nigerian government needs to undertake a serious and sustained initiative to address the underdevelopment of the region.  I urge the Obama administration to think creatively about how we can work multilaterally to help end this long-standing crisis in the Niger Delta.”
 
 
------------ ------
 Crude War On Crude Oil

By McNezer Fasehun, mcnezerf@yahoo.com. 08037167464

The problems of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria are assuming an historical dimension of embarrassing proportion. The war of attrition that has raged in the region in the last couple of decades can only be compared to the trauma of Apartheid regime in South Africa and the struggle against racial discrimination, the Holocaust and the discrimination of hundreds of thousands of people in the guise of the thesis and anti-thesis of race dialectics, slavery and the age-long battle of the likes of William Wilberforce to dissuade humanity from the path of perdition that the slave merchants had trodden.
The problem of Nigeria's Niger Delta has to do with the abundant supply of hydrocarbon in the region. Ever since its discovery in commercial quantities in the late 1950s, neither God who created the mineral resources, nor man, the Nigerian persona, who by accident of human geography found himself occupying the geographical space, has known rest.
It was quite convenient at inception of nationhood to blame the European colonialists for amalgamating their northern and southern protectorates, forcing to live together, as it were, strange bedfellows of grossly divergent ethnic shades and colours. Proponents of political independence and self-determination had preached that a new dawn would break the moment the intruding colonialists were sent packing. Barely half a decade into political independence, disillusionment had set in. The nationalists of yesterday had become the new feudal lords. Of course, the granting of independence by the colonialists had a corrupt tinge to it. Largely negotiated by the vociferous South, the colonialists created a misbegotten political arrangement in which a pragmatic political power lay in the hands of a Prime Minister from the North and a figure-head (they call it ceremonial) president from the South. The landmine was well laid out for foreseeable political crises.
And they have come serially - political upheaval, military putsch, suspension of republican constitution, military adventurism into power, state creation, civil war, a no-victor-no-vanquished denouement in the episodic war, protracted military rule, political hegemonism, bureaucratic corruption, economic ill-being, breakdown of law and order, infrastructural decay - the materiality of a failed state.
At the heart of the crises is the crude oil deposit in the Niger Delta. The ambition of the secessionist Biafra was not unconnected with it; the desire of a region to retain political dominance was hinged on it; the idea of foreign intervention in the political affairs of Nigeria is basically tailored to suit their divide-and-rule whims and caprices as it relates to vested interest in the oil minerals in the Niger Delta.
The struggles of pressure groups like the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Movement for the Emancipation of the of Niger Delta (MEND) and the like had resulted in the destruction of oil stations and pipelines, the kidnapping of oil workers - citizens and foreigners alike - the culpable homicide among the Ogoni people, the death-by-hanging sentence passed and executed on the likes of Ken Saro Wiwa and so forth.
While people of the region had sought the audience of the Federal Government to implement a responsible fiscal federalism that would ensure equitable share of the national patrimony on the basis of unto-whom-much-is-given-much-is-expected and unto-whom-much-is-expected-much-ought-be-given, the regional hegemonists, as represented by their lawmakers at the parliament, had rebuffed them, asking them to swallow their request or go to hell.
Incidentally, as the saying goes, those who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable. Nowhere in the world today is the aphorism more apposite. Monstrous youths begotten of the social inequalities in the Niger Delta have made it a pastime, nay vacation, to incessantly attack oil installations and kidnap innocent citizens and oil workers alike for ransom. To get the kidnapped out of the chains, huge sums of money have been negotiated and paid to the kidnappers.
At other times, legislations have been contemplated whether to mete out capital punishment to convicted offenders. The procurement of hi-tech machine-guns by the militants has gone on unabated. Last week, this writer was regaled with stories by some military informants that some of the military men deployed to tackle the problem of the Niger Delta under the aegis of the Joint Task Force (JTF) must have been killed by the militias. According to the source, the wives of the officers affected might not have known anything about their husbands' well-being; having lost contact with their husbands, they might have enquired from the Base and be told that their husbands were on active service.
Media reports last week showed that the JTF, in what might be regarded as reprisals to the attack of the militants, must have carried out series of aerial attacks on Gbaramatu communities using helicopter gunships and fighter jet-planes. The attack was indiscriminate of militias and civilians. Observers say they should have granted some time for the civilians to leave before the attack.
Neither the militias that have turned their regional home into the theatre of war, den of kidnappers and a haven of outlaws, nor the neighbourhood communities harbouring the hoodlums, nor yet a political structure that obstinately remains recalcitrant to yielding to the demands of the people whose environment has suffered from degradation to the benefit of others can rightly be absolved of blame in the crude war on crude oil that is at the moment the lot of the Niger Delta.
The question is: what do the militias want? Given that the budget for the construction of roads in that swampy mangrove will triple what it would take to do the same in say Sokoto or Zamfara, how do we address the problem of infrastructural development in the Niger Delta? In what ways have the militias been fighting a just and reasonable cause when, as in the recently reported case of 23 year-old student of College of Agriculture, Obio Akpa, in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Aniefon Aniediabasi Udo, who in spite of the paid ransom of 10 million naira, she was still slaughtered? Would the Niger Delta militias claim they have identified the enemies of their people and are doing the reasonable thing to seek redress? What were the civilians caught in the ceasefire waiting for in an impending situation of attack when the ominous signs were palpable enough? Were they just criminal accomplices providing hide-outs for the hoodlums? And what is the Federal Government doing about constitutional reforms that would address the problems of the Niger Delta beyond the cosmetic creation of the Niger Delta Ministry? For how long would we have to fight a crude war over our crude oil? These questions are indeed begging for answers.

Statement by Amnesty International
Tens of thousands caught in crossfire in Niger Delta fighting

21 May 2009
20,000 people who live in Warri South and southwest local government area, in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, are caught in cross fire between the Joint Task Force (JTF) and armed groups. Thousands have fled their communities and are unable to return to their homes.

The JTF offensive began on 13 May after the JTF was reported to have been attacked by armed groups in Delta State. The JTF have been conducting land and air strikes on communities across the Warri south and south-west local government areas where the Nigerian government believes the camps of the armed groups are located. Hundreds of people are feared dead. 

The JTF attacked several communities of the Gbaramatu Kingdom, including Okerenkoko and Oporoza, using helicopters equipped with machine guns on 15 May. Around 500 people had gathered In Oporoza for a yearly festival that was being celebrated in several communities of the Gbaramatu Kingdom. 

An eyewitness who attended the festival said: "I heard the sound of aircraft; I saw two military helicopters, shooting at the houses, at the palace, shooting at us. We had to run for safety into the forest. In the bush, I heard adults crying, so many mothers could not find their children; everybody ran for their life."

The JTF is composed of troops of the army, navy, air force and the mobile police, and was set up in 2004 to restore order in the Niger Delta. The JTF attacks on the communities in the area are continuing on a daily basis, reportedly because they believe the armed groups are hiding in the communities.

Exact casualty figures following the attacks are as yet unknown. According to reports received by Amnesty International, hundreds of bystanders, including women and children, are believed to have been killed and injured by the JTF and by the armed groups shooting at the JTF. 

Many houses in the communities have been set on fire and destroyed by the military. People are still in hiding in the forest, with no access to medical care and food. The main method of transportation for these communities is by boat. However, according to reports, people attempting to travel by water are being targeted by the JTF or members of the armed groups.

"The JTF and armed groups should not use force in a way that results in human right abuses, they should not forcibly displace people, and they must ensure free access to those in need of medical care," said Amnesty International' s Vernoique Aubert. 

Poverty, corruption and the presence of oil, arms and gangs, have made the Niger Delta a very volatile region. In the past years, armed groups and criminal gangs have explicitly sought to control resources, and have engaged in acts of violence. This has lead to an increase in violent confrontations between the armed groups and the JTF. 

The JTF has been frequently accused of using excessive force when attacking armed groups and gangs and often bystanders from local communities were injured and killed. In August 2008, following an attack on the JTF by armed groups, at least 4 people were killed when the military raided the village of Agge, Bayelsea State. 

In August 2007, the JTF intervened in a clash between two rival gangs in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, using helicopters and machine-guns and killing at least 32 gang members, members of the security forces and bystanders.

International Criminal Court urged to prosecute Nigeria

A letter written and jointly signed by over a dozen concerned NGOs to Mr. Luis Moreno Ocampo, of the Office of the Prosecutor in the International Criminal Court in the Hague, about the recent events in the Niger Delta.

International Criminal Court
Office of the Prosecutor
Mr. Luis Moreno Ocampo
Post Office Box 19519
2500 CM The Hague
The Netherlands
Also sent by email to otp.informationdesk@icc-cpi.int
Also sent by fax to +31 70 515 85 55
May 19, 2009

Dear Mr. Moreno Ocampo:

The organizations listed below write to draw your urgent attention to the
unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gbaramatu Kingdom in the Niger Delta
region of Nigeria. We request that the Office of the Prosecutor open an
immediate investigation into those responsible for what appears to be a
systematic and widespread campaign of violence against civilians by the
Armed Forces of the Nigerian government.

On Wednesday, May 13, 2009 the Nigerian military Joint Task Force (JTF)
commenced the land, water and aerial bombardment of a large area in
Gbaramatu Kingdom that includes the villages of Oporoza, Kurutie,
Kunukunuma, Kokodiagbene, Okerenkoko, Azama, Benikurukuru and
Ubefan, under the guise of attacking a MEND militant Camp. Residents of
the villages and those visiting for a festival on the day the bombing
began were forced to flee their homes and villages. They are hiding in the
bush and do not have adequate food or medical supplies. The JTF has not
allowed humanitarian aid groups or journalists into the area. As of today
the coordinated aerial and ground attacks by the JTF and mass starvation
continues. Reports suggest that thousands of innocent civilians are dead
already. Reports also suggest that this was a well planned attack with the
possible collusion of State government officials.

Together the human rights and environmental organizations listed below
urge the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor to use its power to investigate and
prosecute those responsible for these crimes against humanity, including
Brigadier General Sarkin Bello who is reportedly in command of the JTF’s
operations today. Questions regarding President Yar’Adua’s involvement
must also be investigated.

The killings in the Delta today can be traced back to similar massacres in
1990 in Umecheum, in Ogoni led by Major Gen Paul Okuntimo in the mid
1990’s, and the 1999 massacre in Odi under the command of Col
Agbabiaka. To-date no investigation of previous massacres has been
undertaken, although each was well documented by the international
NGO community, including Human Rights Watch.

The Nigerian military must be made aware that it cannot act with
impunity. We respectfully request your attention and investigation. Your
interest and involvement in this matter has the potential to help save
lives in the oil rich regions of the Niger Delta now and in the future.

Sincerely,

Imani Countess for TransAfrica Forum
Patrick Bond for the University of KwaZulu-Natal Centre for Civil Society
Environmental Justice Project
Sandy Cioffi for Sweet Crude
Bill Gallegos for Communities for a Better Environment
Jessica Lawrence for The Borneo Project
Laura Livoti for Justice in Nigeria Now
Danielle Mahonnes for the Center for Third World Organizing
Kirsten Moller for Global Exchange
Brant Olson for Rainforest Action Network
Roger Kim for Asian Pacific Environmental Network
Michelle Kinman for Crude Accountability
Steve Kretzmann for Oil Change International
John Wilner for CounterCorp
Emira Woods for Foreign Policy In Focus
Daphne Wysham for Sustainable Energy and Economy Network

2017 Mission Street 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94110
PHONE: 415 575 5521 FAX: 415 255 7498 URL:

www.justiceinnigerianow.org

Sweet Crude Documentary Website,http://www.sweetcrudemovie.com/attacks

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
URGENT ACTION

20 May 2009       

Nigeria: Unlawful killings/displaceme nt/access to medical care

Since 13 May 2009, thousands of villagers have been displaced and thousands more are trapped in the cross fire between the Joint Task Force (JTF), which is composed from troops of the army, navy, air force and the mobile police set up in 2004 to restore order in the Niger Delta and armed groupsin Delta State, South West Nigeria. The JTF attacks on the communities in the area, including the Okerenkoko and Oporoza communities,are continuing on a daily basis, reportedly because they believe the armed groups are hiding in the communities.

The JTF offensive began on 13 May after the JTF was reportedly attacked by armed groups in Delta State. The JTF have been conducting land and air strikes on communities across the Warri south and south-west local government areas where the Nigerian government believes the camps of the armed groups are located. Hundreds of people are feared dead.

On 15 May, using helicopters equipped with machine guns, the JTF attacked several communities of the Gbaramatu Kingdom, including Okerenkoko and Oporoza. In Oporoza, around 500 people had gathered for a yearly festival that was being celebrated in several communities of the Gbaramatu Kingdom. Exact casualty figures following the attacks are as yet unknown. According to reports received by Amnesty International, hundreds of bystanders, including women and children, are believed to have been killed and injured by the JTF, and by the armed groups, while shooting at the JTF.

The 20,000 people who live in the area of the attack are trapped there by the JTF's continuing operations. The main method of transportation for these communities is by boat; however, people attempting to travel by water are reportedly targeted by the JTF or members of the armed groups.

Thousands have fled their communities and are unable to return to their homes. Many houses in the communities have been set on fire and destroyed by the military. People are still in hiding in the forest, with no access to medical care and food.

Amnesty International is calling on the JTF and armed groups to use force only in a way that does not result in human right abuses, not to forcibly displace people, and ensure free access to those in need of medical care.

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Poverty, corruption and the presence of oil, arms and gangs, have made the Niger Delta a very volatile region. In the past years, armed groups and criminal gangs have explicitly sought to control resources, and have engaged in acts of violence. This has lead to an increase in violent confrontations between the armed groups and the JTF.

The JTF has been frequently accused of using excessive force when attacking armed groups and gangs and often bystanders from local communities were injured and killed. In August 2008, following an attack on the JTF by armed groups, at least 4 people were killed when the military raided the village of Agge, Bayelsea State. In August 2007, the JTF intervened  in a clash between two rival gangs in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, using helicopters and machine-guns and killing at least 32 gang members, members of the security forces and bystanders.

 

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own language:
-expressing concern about the number of people who have been killed, injured and displaced in the recent operations in Warri area of Delta State;
- calling on the Federal Government to ensure that the JTF uses force only in a way that does not result in human right abuses;
- calling on the Federal government not to forcibly displace people;
- calling on the Federal Government to carry out a thorough, independent and impartial investigation into violations committed by the JTF and the abuses committed by the armed groups.

 

APPEALS TO:

His Excellency Alhaji Umar Yar’Adua
President of the Republic of Nigeria
Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces
Office of the President
Aso Rock          
Abuja,
Federal Capital Territory
Nigeria
Tel: +234-9-2341010/ +234 9 523 5053
Fax: +234-9-2341733/ +234 9 314 8793
Salutation: Your Excellency

COPIES TO:

Commander of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta (Operation Restore Hope)
Brigadier General Sakin-Yaki Bello
Efferun Barracks
Warri, Delta State
Nigeria

Salutation: Dear Brigadier General,

Embassies: Copies to diplomatic representatives of Nigeria in your own country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat

Ijaw People’s Association of Great Britain & Ireland and
Bayelsa State Union of Great Britain & Ireland

20/5/09

Joint Press Statement

THE GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA AND ITS ACTS OF GENOCIDE & TERROR AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF THE NIGER DELTA

The Ijaw People’s Association and Bayelsa State Union, all of Great Britain and Ireland are greatly concerned about the reports reaching us that the Nigerian Armed Forces in the form of the Joint Task Force (JTF) for the Niger Delta is attacking and invading a number of towns and villages in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State Nigeria, from Wednesday 13 up till now, Thursday 21 May 2009. These towns and villages comprise of Oporoza and satellite villages of Gbaranmatu kingdom in the said local government area. We are greatly alarmed and shocked, because the attacks and invasion with the attendant destruction of lives and property were unprovoked, and seemed to have been planned for quite a while.

The JTF spoke-person issued a statement that “militants or oil thieves attacked their forward base and that the JTF was going after them and flushing out the said militants or oil thieves”; but we find this utterly unacceptable, and it is a deception to justify this premeditated terror campaign against defenceless communities in the Western Niger Delta, because of the oil beneath their feet.

The JTF needs to explain to the whole world why it needed to use jet fighters and helicopter gun-ships to flush out ‘oil thieves’ by bombing and mowed down innocent civilian villagers who had gathered at Oporoza for a traditional cultural event? It is clear that the Nigerian President ordered the JTF to commit these atrocities to the people of Gbaranmatu Kingdom in order to protect the vested interests in the military oil bunkering operations. The government of Nigeria has been consistent in its brutality of the people of the Niger Delta, which started with the Ogoni-land invasions, the invasion of Kaiama, the attack and complete destruction of Odi, the destructions of towns and villages in Kalabari kingdom in eastern Niger Delta, and now the obliteration of Oporoza and Gbaranmatu Kingdom.

CONTINUED DECEPTION

The Nigerian Government continues to deceive the whole World that the JTF is stationed in the Niger Delta to prevent crude oil theft and protect oil installations from Niger Delta militants. This is laughable, when in reality, it is clear that the JTF is stationed in the Niger Delta to protect the oil bunkering interests of federal government officials, former and present serving military officers and politicians connected to the current government. These are the real oil thieves. It is even more laughable that the federal government claim to be spending over 400 billion naira a year on security in the Niger Delta, when security has actually been taken away from the people by the JTF. It is universally known that there are some criminal elements that are involved in oil theft, but that is no reason for the annihilation of an entire already-suffering people who has nothing to do with the corrupt and bankrupt politics of the Nigerian Federation. Basically, these long-suffering people of Oporoza and Gbaranmatu kingdom are killed doubly. People should make President Musa Yar’Adua understand this sort of behaviour is not acceptable in civilised and democratic countries.

In order to justify its continued presence in the Niger Delta, the JTF periodically manufacture conflict scenarios in order to perpetrate hostilities. Delta State was enjoying a long period of relative peace and reconciliation and the Governor of Delta State had recently called upon the Nigerian Government to withdraw the JTF from the state, as the area was now peaceful. There was no independent confirmation that militants attacked the JTF, prior to this invasion, and no militant group has come forward to claim responsibility for the supposed attack on the JTF(apart from the JTF claim that e-mail messages received by it, is supposed to be from a militant source). The latest murderous act by the JTF has gone too far, and it is time to bring Mr Yar’Adua and the JTF to order.

Therefore, the Ijaw People’s Association of Great Britain and Ireland and the Bayelsa State Union of Great Britain and Ireland strongly and utterly condemn these outrageous actions of barbarism by President Yar’Adua and the JTF. This is a complete betrayal of trust by Mr Yar’Adua to find a permanent and lasting solution to the Niger Delta problems. It is clear that all along, the Yar’Adua Administration and successive Nigerian Governments have been deceiving the Nigerian people and the whole world as to their sincerity in resolving the issues in the Niger Delta.

We strongly condemn the deliberate and planned killing of innocent Nigerian civilians and the mass destruction of property by the JTF. We strongly condemn the criminal use of force by the Nigerian Armed Forces. Our thoughts are with the families of the many women, children and innocent people that have been killed by the Government of Nigeria. We believe that attacking and punishing whole communities because of a few criminals is the most barbaric and undemocratic method in controlling law and order. Mr Yar’adua should know that no country that aspire to be regarded as civilised and democratic, trains its army to kill its own people. The role of the army is to defence its country from external aggression.

We fear that these atrocities that have been committed by Mr Yar’Adua and his government would:-

• Further escalate hostilities in the region, as the destruction of Odi by Mr Obasanjo led to the current level of militancy;
• Further increase the instability in the region;

• Further alienate the people of the Niger Delta;

• Further impede Nigeria’s economic progress; and

• Make Nigeria a more hopeless and miserable country

We want a situation, where every single part of Nigeria is as developed as Western Europe and North America, because Nigeria can achieve that if the politicians gain sanity. We also believe that the Niger Delta should be treated specially and with respect (as other civilised countries do); as it is the bread basket of Nigeria and it is its people that face the dire consequences of negligent oil exploration practices of the oil companies in the Niger Delta. Thus, the current invasion and the ongoing killing and destruction of towns in the Niger Delta, is a direct attack on the development of Nigeria as a whole, because the consequences of these atrocities could be far reaching for Nigeria’s progress.

We therefore, call on every well-meaning Nigerian to condemn these atrocities that are perpetrated by Mr Yar’Adua and the Nigeria military. We want the good people of Nigeria and the international community to educate the President that proper governance of a country is more than sending tanks, bombs and bullets. True power comes when you have been able to provide to the Nigerian people constant electricity, clear water, good healthcare and good education. The truth is the Mr Yar’Adua has failed in his role as the Chief Provider and Protector of his people.

If it transpires that genocide or crimes against humanity was committed (as we are hearing), we will work rigorously towards mobilising the people of the civilised world to bring to the International Criminal Court, Mr Yar’Adua, military officers, ministers, advisers, politicians and any other persons that are involved in promoting, encouraging, facilitating, aiding or abetting the perpetration of these gruesome acts of barbarism. The 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crimes of Genocide is clear as indicated below:-
Article 1
The Contracting Parties confirm that genocide, whether committed in time of peace or in time of war, is a crime under international law which they undertake to prevent and to punish.
Article 2
In the present Convention, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:
(a) Killing members of the group;
(b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
(c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
(d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
(e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.
Article 3
The following acts shall be punishable:
(a) Genocide;
(b) Conspiracy to commit genocide;
(c) Direct and public incitement to commit genocide;
(d ) Attempt to commit genocide;
(e) Complicity in genocide.
Article 4
Persons committing genocide or any of the other acts enumerated in article III shall be punished, whether they are constitutionally responsible rulers, public officials or private individuals.
According to the UN Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity, 1968, there is no time limitation on when criminal proceedings can be brought against the perpetrators of War Crime, Crimes Against Human and Crime of Genocide. The offices are committed under international law whether or not local law did not recognise the atrocities as offences. Genocide is Crimes Against Humanity. The Nigerian Government ratified this Convention on 1st December 1970.

We believe that Nigerian will never be prosperous economically or politically, with a president that is clueless in the effective management of his people and the economy. Vision 2020 is dead and buried.

May God bless the people of the Niger Delta, and may God bless the ordinary hard working good people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that are constantly been deceived and humiliated by crooked successive Nigerian governments.

Signed by:

Mr Benaebi Benatari
Secretary
Ijaw Peoples Association of Great Britain and Ireland
www.ijawland.com

Mr Ebiye Asuka
Secretary
Bayelsa State Union of Great Britain and Ireland
www.bayelsa.org.uk

N/Delta crisis: Students protest in Warri

NAPOLEON EHIREMEN, Warri

Members of the National Union of Izon-Ebe Students (NUIS) yesterday in Warri staged a peaceful protest, and called on the United Nations (UN) to prevail on the Federal Government to stop the war in Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

The students who were all dressed in black attire in solidarity with their kinsmen, said about 10 students who went for holiday in Oporoza were killed

The students, who condemned militancy and criminality on the waterways said no Ijaw son or daughter will encourage criminality.

They, however, blamed the federal and state governments for the long neglect and underdevelopment that have resulted in the conflicts threatening to tear the nation apart.

National Public Relations Officer (PRO), NUIS, Comrade Obiri Ebilade, said the fighting was uncalled for, describing it as a clear case of genocide. He said many died while trying to escape the attack.

He accused President Musa Yar’Adua of keeping a sealed lip while the Ijaw people were being killed by the military.

“We call on the UN to call the Federal Government to order on this killings. We don’t want any further destruction of lives and properties under the guise of any military rhetoric like cordon and search. The silence of the President goes a long way to portray the insincerity of the Nigerian government in attending to issues affecting the Ijaw nation. This attack is premeditated and an attempt to unleash an onslaught on the Ijaw nation because we are aware that prior to this attack there had been a blueprint which the JTF is following,” he said.

Also, the national president of NUIS, Comrade Omare Oyimi, said the war was an attempt to humiliate the Ijaw nation so that the Federal Government will continue to exploit crude oil unhindered.

According to him, the Ijaw people have suffered so much injustice for too long in the hands of the government.

While appealing to international donor agencies to come to the aid of the people as many people displaced from their homeland were passing through untold hardship.

Ijaw Youths Allege Genocide Over Military Action

By Michael Jegede Reporter, Lagos

Arogbo Ijaw Youth Network (AIYN) has condemned the Federal Government’s action in declaring military action on Ijaw communities in the guise of searching for militants in the areas.

AIYN wondered why the government that is supposed to protect the people resorted to killing them because of their God-given resources.

In a statement jointly signed by its National Co-ordinator, Fiyebo Eperetei, and General Secretary, Ajagbini Samson, the group said the Ijaw people are not surprised about the action, stressing that the President Umaru Yar’Adua government does not have any tangible plan for the development of the Niger Delta region.

“Nigeria should realise that the whole world is watching the enormity of its evil acts, by invading communities in Ijaw Nation, which it refuses to develop. Nigeria will never go free, being an ingrate to the goose that lays the golden egg.

“The Ijaws are not surprised about the incident, because the name, Nigeria, exists notoriously by intimidating, victimising, marginalising and killing her citizens,” the statement reads.

It added that “it is obvious that the Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan-led government doesn’t have any good plan for the Niger Delta in terms of development and making peace.

 

STOP NIGERIA ’S GENOCIDE AGAINST THE IJAWS OF THE NIGER DELTA: A CALL FOR IMMEDIATE GLOBAL ACTION

We, the fifteen million aboriginal Ijaw people of the oil-rich Niger Delta hereby call on the world to save us immediately from the ongoing brazen high-intensity genocide being perpetrated against us by the extremely ungrateful Nigerian State that paradoxically depends on our Ijaw Oil Wealth for its sustenance and survival!

The Gbaramatu Kingdom of the Ijaw Nation was peacefully celebrating the installation of its Regent when it was atrociously attacked by the Nigerian military forces of occupation in the Niger Delta, the Joint Task Force (JTF), without any provocation, on Wednesday, May 13, 2009! The Nigerian State has since sent a military armada and several battalions of soldiers to Ijawland in a deliberate and calculated military onslaught to annihilate our Ijaw people. Please save our souls! Stop the ethnic cleansing!! Stop Nigeria ’s extermination of the Ijaws!!!

We are anguished and appalled, beyond description, at the thousands of our unarmed, oppressed and suffering Ijaw civilians in the Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State that have been savagely (brutally) murdered or maimed, and the towns and villages that have been viciously decimated and ferociously razed, by aerial bombardments, grenade attacks, and artillery attacks from warships and naval gunboats. Tens of thousands of our people have been rendered homeless, and have fled into the bushes where they are hunted and slaughtered by the rampaging genocidal Nigerian military. Thousands of injured people cannot have access to much-needed live-saving emergency medical care because they are cut off from the outside world by the genocidal military siege, and are therefore dying helplessly!

We hereby call on all humanitarian agencies worldwide, particularly the International Red Cross and the United Nations Committee on Refugees, to send relief materials and humanitarian workers to save and help the victims of the terrible humanitarian crisis.

It is universal knowledge that the Ijaws and Nigeria are engaged in a serious conflict that has been occasioned by the relentless ruthless oppression of the Ijaws by the Nigerian state. In response to our peaceful agitation for fairness, equity and self-determination, the Nigerian government has inflicted an ever-intensifying Genocidal Reign of Terror on our defenseless people. In the last decade, members of the Nigerian Security Forces, acting at the behest of the Nigerian government, have wrongfully and needlessly murdered thousands of Ijaws, raided and burnt Ijaw towns and villages, cruelly tortured many of our people, imprisoned several Ijaw Rights Activists and raped numerous Ijaw women and children; in response to our legitimate demands for a halt to our oppression, the wanton destruction of our habitat and looting of our God-given wealth.

The prevailing pervasive Ijaw Youth Restiveness and Insurgency are compelled and propelled by the imperative for survival and self-defense, in the Spirit of Isaac Adaka Boro, against the political subjugation and relentless ruthless oppression of the Ijaw people, unbridled plundering of their oil and gas resources, wanton destruction of their habitat and means of subsistence, their utter neglect and deprivation, atrocious violation of their basic human rights and dignity, continual heinous genocides perpetrated by an occupying military force of the Nigerian State that kills Ijaws with impunity, and resultant abominable squalor, hopelessness, despair and anarchy.

Ijaw Foundation, a platform for collective action by all Ijaws and all Ijaw organizations in the Diaspora and the Ijaw homeland, condemns in the strongest terms, the heinous genocide being committed against the Ijaws by the Nigerian State . We ask President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and the Nigerian government to withdraw all military forces of occupation in the Niger Delta immediately. The Niger Delta Conflict is a political conflict and therefore demands a political solution rather than a military solution. The Ijaws want and demand a peaceful political solution to the Niger Delta Conflict.

We take this opportunity to reiterate that the Ijaws are extremely peace loving and longsuffering. We, the Ijaws, are engaged in a noble and legitimate agitation for Self Determination, socioeconomic justice, environmental protection and survival. We only claim, demand and defend that which is rightly and justly ours. Our motivation is love, our passion is justice, and our goal is peace. The Ijaws want peace in the Niger Delta, Nigeria and in the entire world.

Our oppressors are the advocates of violence because they are using guns and violence, military force and genocide, to keep us oppressed. No Ijaw person would take a gun to fight if the oppressive Nigerian State does not use military power or guns to repress us and deny us justice! A thief knows that it is wrong for him to take your personal property from you without your consent, and he knows that you will not allow him to do so, so he comes armed with a gun to coerce you to relinquish your property to him. Nigeria is committing armed robbery against the Ijaws. A thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. Nigeria is stealing our resources, killing us, and destroying our habitat and means of livelihood.

It is the most cruel irony of fate that our Ijaw people are being killed by Nigerian soldiers that are paid, clothed, fed, housed and armed with our Ijaw Oil Money; to enable the Nigerian government and the Oil Companies to plunder our resources and destroy our habitat. The fighter jets, warships, naval gunboats, grenades, artillery and bombs being unleashed on our hapless Ijaw people are bought with the Ijaw oil money! It is unacceptable that our God-given wealth has become our inexorable curse!

It is the Nigerian State that has made dialogue and peaceful resolution of the Niger Delta Conflict impossible by militarizing Ijawland (occupying Ijawland with military troops), and ensuring that Ijaws who protest their oppression are murdered or imprisoned as a deterrent to other Ijaws. The murders of Dr. Marshall Harry and Chief Aminasori Dikibo as well as the imprisonment of Dokubo-Asari and other Niger Delta Activists are prime examples in this regard. No Ijaw person will carry gun to fight the Nigerian State if Nigeria withdraws all its military forces of occupation in Ijawland and allows Ijaws to express their grievances without harassment and intimidation.

The world cannot sit idly by when the internationally affirmed and ratified fundamental human rights of the approximately fifteen million Ijaw people are being so egregiously and continuously violated by a signatory of the United Nations Charter. It would be an indefensible dereliction of duty if the United Nations does not act to uphold the sanctity of its Universal Declarations of Human Rights or fail to protect the oppressed and abused in any part of the world.

The Niger Delta Crisis has assumed epic global proportions and therefore calls for concerted international action. The adverse effect of the Niger Delta Crisis on global oil prices makes it imperative for concerted global action to resolve the crisis. Furthermore, it is important to note that the oppression being suffered by the Ijaws of the Niger Delta is arguably worse than that suffered by black South Africans during the terrible Apartheid Regime because, besides political subjugation, disenfranchisement, sub-humanization and dehumanization, the Ijaws also suffer resource plunder, environmental degradation and ecological genocide that were never suffered by black South Africans! As the world was rightly moved into action to stop the terrible oppression of black South Africa , the world must also act with urgency to stop the ruthless oppression of the Ijaws.

Similarly, the oppression that was suffered by the Kosovo people did not entail ecological genocide; it was less terrible than that being suffered by the Ijaws of the Niger Delta. Yet the people of Kosovo got the support of the United Nations and the international community for their self-determination. Just as the United Nations intervened in Kosovo to bring justice and peace, it should also intervene in the Niger Delta to bring justice and peace there!

To this end, as a matter of utmost urgency, we call on the international community, under the aegis of the United Nations, to orchestrate a peaceful resolution of the Niger Delta Crisis by enforcing an immediate demilitarization of the Niger Delta and by organizing Referendum on Ijaw Political Autonomy.

In his historic speech to his fellow Americans, the legendary Patrick Henry of blessed memory declared: “Give me liberty or give me death”! The United States of America was the torchbearer of liberty about two hundred and thirty-three years ago. Today, the Ijaws are proud to be the torchbearers of liberty.

This is a battle of good against evil. We are confident of the glorious triumph of good over evil! We are absolutely confident of our victory God has promised and decreed.

We call on all champions and lovers of freedom, and indeed the entire world, to join the Alliance for Freedom and stand with us against oppression. We call on the United Nations to convene an emergency meeting of its Security Council to take emergency action to stop the genocide against the Ijaws, as follows:

1. Declare the Ijaw Region in Nigeria a Protectorate of the United Nations pending the completion of our transition to self-government.

2. Establish a United Nations Committee for Self-determination of the Ijaws to: (a) mediate our negotiations with the Nigerian State for our peaceful separation from Nigeria ; (b) provide us with technical assistance to conduct our Referendum on Self-government; (c) oversee our transition to self-rule.

3. Grant the Ijaws representation as an OBSERVER NATION in the United Nations General Assembly (same status currently enjoyed by the Palestinians) , pending our transition to self-rule.

4. Order the Nigerian government, by Security Council Resolution, to immediately withdraw all its military troops, submarines, gunboats and weaponry deployed to the Niger Delta to kill and repress the Ijaws.

5. Impose tough economic sanctions on Nigeria , including an absolute international embargo on Nigeria ’s, oil until all Nigerian military forces in the Niger Delta are withdrawn.

Signed:

Dr. Ebipamone N. Nanakumo

President, Ijaw Foundation Board of Directors

Mr. Lincoln Snithers

Secretary, Ijaw Foundation Board of Directors

 

STOP MILITARY ASSAULT IN NIGER DELTA NOW!

Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG, is saddened by the dangerous turn of
events in the Niger Delta which has seen a full-blown war situation
arising from serial bombardments of towns and villages in the Niger
Delta by the Joint Task Force, JTF.

The warfare has led to untimely deaths and an unspecified number of
casualties, including innocent civilians getting caught in the fire
prowess of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Thousands have been displaced
with serious humanitarian crisis looming in the affected areas.

We condemn this genocidal attack on innocent people being carried out
by troops who have been deployed to the oil-bearing region.

While we do not condone any acts of criminality, we insist that it is
the criminal activities that have over the years characterized oil
explorations by the Nigerian state in the Niger Delta region that have
given rise to militancy in the region.

The agitation against the injustices of the Nigerian state against the
Niger Delta region has taken twists and turns before reaching this
crescendo. A more responsive and responsible state would have nipped
the situatio
n in the bud by addressing the grievances of the people.
Rather, the Nigerian state, often barren of ideas, has resorted to
strong arm tactics against the messengers (Adaka Boro, Ken Saro Wiwa,
etc) and ignoring the message. Now, the message has become so strong
and has acquired a life of its own.

As against poems, flowery speeches, massive rallies, which were the
Modus Operandi of Ken Saro Wiwa, a new generation of agitators has come
up who speak the only language the Nigerian state speaks: violence.

It is only a people without a clear understanding of social dynamics
that would believe that misguided military assaults would resolve the
problem of the Niger Delta.

When President Umar Yar’Adua, in 2009 budget, lumped Niger Delta and
Security together, we had asked if that was a pointer to the fact that
the regime’s mind was working towards military assault to resolve the
Niger Delta crisis. These military assaults have clearly answered that
question.

The genocidal act in the Niger Delta has again exposed the double-speak
of President Yar’Adua. On the one hand, he talks about a peaceful
solution to the Niger Delta crisis and Amnesty arrangements while, on
the other hand, a murderous war is being executed.

We call on President Yar’Adua to immediately call off this genocidal
assault against Niger Delta. The president should not be deceived by20
the exuberant call for military action which has been the sing-song of
Rotimi Amaechi, the Supreme Court-appointed governor of Rivers State.

The social fabric of Nigeria is at the moment in tatters to be able to
withstand a conflagration which these mindless assaults can only bring
about.

To stem this crisis, we call for an immediate convocation of a Niger
Delta Summit, to be composed of leaders of the people of the Niger
Delta and their elected representatives, representatives of ethnic
nationalities of Nigeria, social forces and the Federal Government. The
sole agenda of this summit should be to find concrete steps that would
guarantee peace and justice in the Niger Delta. This is imperative as
the escalation of the present hostilities portend grave dangers to
every part of Nigeria.

‘Yinka Odumakin,
National Publicity Secretary, ARG
08033004665

Niger Delta military action illegal, says Falana

By Our Reporter

Lagos lawyer and rights activist Femi Falana yesterday described as a "gross violation" of the Constitution the military operation in the creeks of Delta State.

He said the "genocidal attack on innocent people being executed by the Joint Task Force (JTF) through air and sea raids is a painful reminder of the Iraqi war by the US-led allies".

In a telephone interview last night, Falana said the Niger Delta crisis took "a new turn last weekend when the Yar'Adua administration illegally declared a full-scale war against the people of Gbaramatu and neighbouring communities in Delta State under the pretext of flushing out militants."

Falana added: "Like his predecessor Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, who waged a military onslaught against the people of Odi in Bayelsa State and Zaki Biam in Benue State in defiance of the Constitution, President Yar'Adua unleashed unmitigated violence on the Niger Delta people without complying with Section 217 of the Constitution which stipulates that the Armed Forces can only be deployed in any part of Nigeria under such condition as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.

"In order to end further hostilities, we call on the United Nations (UN) to demand immediate ceasefire on both sides, send in humanitarian groups to attend to displaced people and promote dialogue between the militants and the Federal Government."

 

N’Delta: Federal troops intensify bombing

• Over 200 dead, 20,000 displaced as air raid on Ijaw communities continues

From MURPHY GANAGANA, Abuja and EMMANUEL OGOIGBE, Warri
Monday, May 18, 2009

•Photo: Sun News Publishing
More Stories on This Section
The Nigerian Military on Sunday intensified its air raid of some communities suspected to be militant enclaves in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, with the deployment of two fighter jets to Oporoza, Kokodiagbene and Okarankoko villages, all of which were said to have been reduced to rubble by Sunday evening. Over 20,000 fleeing villagers are said to have taken refuge in Burutu, Bomadi, Sagbama, Patani, and the urban towns of Warri and Ughelli.

No fewer than 80 additional lives were allegedly lost during the military air bombardment which had reportedly claimed over 120 lives in an earlier offensive last Friday.

Four Ijaw villages, namely, Kolokoloama, Okarankoko, Kurutie, and Oporoza, had at the weekend, suffered severe air raids complimented with ground troops, using a naval warship and 15 gunboats.

The initial casualties included militant fighters and men of the Joint Military Task Force [JTF] in the Niger Delta region, code-named ‘Operation Restore Hope’.
Although the number of civilian casualties was yet to be ascertained, at least two expatriate oil workers, who were allegedly kidnapped by the militants shortly after sinking two military gunboats last Wednesday, were reportedly killed during the air raid last Friday, even as the military authorities said about 10 hostages were rescued in that operation in which no fewer than six fighter jets were allegedly used.
The JTF has in the meantime denied killing civilians in the military operatives.

While reports said the militants had engaged the government forces in a fierce gun battle last Friday, burning the naval warship and capturing six out of the 15 gunboats deployed by the JTF, the scenario was not the same on Sunday, when the two military fighter jets reportedly launched a surprise attack on one more community, Kokodiagbene, before returning to Oporoza and Okarankoko, to bring down structures that survived the Friday bombardment.

So far, the militants have reportedly fled their operational bases, especially the dreaded Camp 5, a stronghold of the petite but fiery militant leader, Government Egbomgbolo, a.k.a Tompollo, whose guest house at Oporoza and the palace of the community’s traditional ruler, were said to have been already destroyed during last Friday’s air raid, before the community was completely leveled on Sunday.
Reports said Camp 5, situated by the Chanomi Creek along the Escravos River, was captured by the JTF troops in the early hours of Frday, reclaimed by the militants later in the evening, but has been re-captured by the military with the aid of intensive aerial offensive propelled by the sinking last Wednesday, of two military gunboats by the militants, during which 14 soldiers, including two officers (an Army Major and a Lieutenant), reportedly lost their lives.

The JTF, however, said it recorded no casualties except two of its men who were injured.
Even as Sunday’s gun battle was said to be on till dusk, unconfirmed reports indicated that troops from 81 Battalion of the Nigerian Army and two other battalions had been placed on standby to move in and effectively occupy the already captured five Ijaw villages, where charred remains of victims and property are the visible reminders of the gun battle.

A native of Kokodiagbene in Gbaramatu Clan, Mr Ari S. Ari told Daily Sun that one of his younger brothers was killed in the air raid, while many others were injured.
An old woman was also said to have drowned in Oporoza in an attempt to flee the community, during the military attack.
In the meantime, a cat and mouse drama is reportedly playing out between President Umaru Yar’Adua and Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, as concerned top politicians, traditional rulers, and high-ranking public officials including ministers, especially of Niger Delta origin, make frantic efforts to halt the continued bombing of Ijaw communities.

Sources close to the Presidency alleged that so far, efforts made by Goodluck Jonathan and the Chief Uffot Ekaette, minister of Niger Delta Affairs, to seek audience with President Yar’Adua over the development had not been fruitful, fuelling speculations that the president might have tactfully shielded himself away from discussing the military action.
Mum is also the word at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, where a top brass who pleaded anonymity simply said, “the situation is under control.”

Niger Delta Civil Society Coalition(NDCSC)
Secretariat: c/o 2B, Railway Close, D/Line, Port Harcourt.
Rivers State. Niger Delta Region. Nigeria.
Tel/Fax: 234- 84-231 – 716

Press Statement - Port Harcourt, May 16, 2009

STATE SPONSORED MASSACRE DEEPENS INSECURITY IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION.
The Niger Delta Civil Society Coalition(NDCSC) is shocked beyond believe learning of the latest massacre of people and razing to ground zero, communities of the Niger Delta by the President Yar’ Adua led regime in a ‘democracy’. The very sick, impotent and illegitimate government of President Ya’Adua, that have hardly moved Nigeria an inch forward in terms of any visible human development, have shown by its authorization of the latest massacre and orphaning of further thousands of children in the Gbaranmatu kingdom, of the region in the latest inferno, that there is a well written script and strategy for regimes in Nigeria, to go to any length – genocide inclusive, to expend the peoples of the region, wipe out their livelihood, to enable oil that fed their primitive accumulation of wealth, flow without let or hindrance.
The indiscriminate shelling and slaughtering of women, children and helpless seniors in the communities by federal soldiers of fortune, has no doubt put a lid on the mockery public relation exercise, flagged off recently by the President, in the name of amnesty and peaceful settlement in the region.
The cleansing strategy adopted in the wasting of Odi, Odioma, Agge, Umuechem has been repeated in the Gbaranmatu kingdom, all the time, the military making sure that the number of the raped, slaughtered, maimed and abused are never fully known in order not to horrify a conscious humane world. The level of human rights abuses in the region by the governments and military task forces has assumed a very high level proportion, that merits international attention for necessary action, by way of bringing pressure to bear on an unresponsive illiberal regime, to humanely deal with the legitimate and just demands of the peoples of the region.
The NDCSC maintains and very strongly too, that the conflict in the Niger Delta is about age long gross and attested violations of cultural, social, economic, political and environmental rights of the minority citizens, therefore, beyond the orchestration of criminality and oil bunkering that deflates from the fundamentality and community support for the genuine struggle for social justice. The orchestration of criminality and greed theory, leaving out friends and members of the regime who drive the arms proliferation and oil bunkering industrial complex for punishment, continue to make the federal government and oil multinationals look good internationally, in the face of human depradation in the region. Let it not be forgotten that structural violence of the State linked with inhuman standards of operations of oil multinationals, began the current cycle of violence. The criminal response of the State to what was a peaceful agitation by the
Ogoni social movement , led by late Ken Saro-Wiwa, led to a change of strategy by peoples who now genuinely believe that an imposed government, holds no measure of security to their livelihood. This has inevitably led to the growing secondary forms of violence, such as hostage taking and destruction of oil facilities.
The NDCSC wishes to strongly draw the attention of the international community and sister democracy movements, to the fact human needs are continually being frustrated on a large scale by illegitimate federal and state regimes in the Niger Delta. Experience over the decades has shown that the more arbitrary law and order is enforced in the region to control helplessness and frustration, in the midst of abundance and evil governance, the more the helplessness and frustration. Our genuine fears and concern is that, rather than military massacre to put a lid on demand for just peace; from the humiliation and further loss, will spring some other forms of extreme agitation, to continue to emphasize and demonstrate to the world, that continue to tolerate competititve authoritarian regimes in Nigeria, that there are features of the regimes in the Niger Delta that are repugnant to justice and human dignity, that are unacceptable to the peoples,
and are worth dying for.
The NDCSC therefore, wishes to renew the demand of the peoples of the region for just peace to mean: demand for sustainable development that has been deliberately kept away from them. They ask that the poor and vulnerable be at the centre of the development process in their communities – also the protection of the life opportunities of future generations and the natural systems on which all life depends.
The NDCSC once again calls on the global civilized nations and democracy movements to take their responsibility to protect human subjects anywhere in the world, including democratic principles seriously, by calling on the illiberal regimes in Nigeria, who are intent on destroying the enormous investment in democracy building by democracy defenders, to urgently respond to the just demands of the peoples of the Niger Delta, as forced peace will surely compound the avoidable catastrophe waiting to happen in that part of the world.
Signed:
Anyakwee Nsirimovu
Chair, NDCSC

Clarion call for cease of hostility on Ijaw communities by JTF.

The IYC has watched with disdain and chagrin the recent bombardment of Ijaw communities by members of the JTF of the federal republic of Nigeria in the pretence of cleansing our communities off militants.

As at the time this communiqué was been issued; the following communities namely; AZAMA, KUNUKUNUAMA, KURUTIE, OKERENKOKO, OPOROZA, BENIKURUKURU, OKOARANKO, KOKODIA-GBE, KOLOKUMA and the entire GBARAMATU communities has been sacked. This has led to an untold suffering by the inhabitants of the aforementioned towns and villages. A case of double jeopardy, with the blatant slaying of over a 500 law abiding citizens mostly women and children, and over 200,000 people rendered homeless without food or water.

To buttress the insincerity of the Federal Government and the calculated genocide by the Yar’adua administration. There has been heavy military presence in the following major Ijaw towns, namely KAIAMA, ODI, OPOKUMA,YENAGOA, BOMADI,PATANI, OKRIKA, DEGEMA, BONNY, BUGUMA, BELE to mention but a few.

It should be restated here that IYC under my leadership believes in dialogue as a means of peaceful mediation in conflict resolution and vehemently opposes the use of force in achieving peace. This genocide by the Yar’adua administration can only escalate the fragile peace been enjoyed in the region and thus, should be stopped.

I am also using this as a means to call on the international communities, well meaning Nigerians to prevail on the federal government to stop this genocide, conduct a thorough investigation on those responsible for the show down and bring them to justice, not minding whose horse is gored.

The recent onslaught has brought to bear the insincerity of President Yar’adua’s administration on the question of amnesty.

Is it not a national shame that President Yar’adua has refused to meet with Vice- President Goodluck Jonathan on this or any other issue in the past 72 hours?

Similarly, the IYC calls for total restrain from both side of the conflicts. We have already appealed to our kith and kin in Ijaw communities to remain calm and law abiding while we find a peaceful resolution to this avoidable aggression on our communities.

WE still will maintain our position on Nonviolence direction action as a mean to resolving the crisis.

Dr. Chris Ekiyor

President, Ijaw Youth Council

Nigeria accuses over oil 'deaths'

The military in Nigeria has been accused of killing 1,000 civilians during an upsurge in operations against militants in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
"They...bombard entire communities from the air, sea and land," said the Ijaw National Congress which represents the region's largest ethnic group.
A Nigerian military spokesman dismissed the allegations as unfounded.
The army has freed 17 hostages, mostly foreigners, held by militants fighting for a greater share of oil revenues.
But the military action has "resulted in over a thousand deaths, because we dared to ask for our rights," said Victor Burubo, spokesman for the Ijaw National Congress.
He called on the United Nations to intervene in a BBC interview.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) declared "all-out war" on the Nigerian government after an attack on one of its camps deep in the swamp lands on Friday.
'Rescue operation'
A second hostage being held by Mend militants was killed in fighting with government forces.
In the upsurge of violence - the worst in months - the military have used naval gunboats and there are claims of helicopter gunship attacks, the BBC's Caroline Duffield reports from Nigeria.
The army says the offensive is a rescue operation to save the crews of two ships hijacked by gunmen last Thursday, and that nine Filipinos, four Ukrainians and four Nigerians have been freed so far.
A Mend statement said: "We regret to announce that two hostages have been killed by the indiscriminate shelling."

'Blood oil' dripping from Nigeria
Elusive peace in Nigeria's oil Delta
It said their bodies would be given to the Red Cross, but gave no details of nationality.
The group added that Briton Matthew Maguire, who was taken hostage separately last year, was now being moved to a new location.
Mend - the most visible of numerous armed gangs operating in the Delta - says it is fighting for a fairer share of Nigeria's oil wealth for local people.
However they are involved in extortion and massive oil theft as well as kidnapping, our correspondent says.
They had ordered oil companies to pull out their staff by Saturday. The group also says it blew up two major gas pipelines over the weekend.
Analysts expected renewed violence between militants and the military after Mend rejected an amnesty offered by the government.
The government has still not officially said the offer is off the table.

 

Niger Delta: 300 Militants Feared Dead - As Soldiers Engage Them In Fierce Fight

Sylvester Idowu, Warri - 09.05.2009

No fewer than 300 militants reportedly died on Friday as an all-out war broke out between them and operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) code-named Operation Restore Hope.

The soldiers stormed Oporoza in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State to retaliate the killings of their colleagues and sinking of two of their gun boats on Wednesday.

Security sources told Saturday Tribune that the soldiers moved into Camp 5, the major base of militants in Delta State axis of the Niger Delta, by 10:00 am and bombarded the place with heavy shellings.

Soldiers also moved in on ground with artillery while the air force wing of the special security outfit gave an aerial cover while the operation lasted.

The operation, it was learnt, was put together by the new Commander of the JTF, Major General Sarkin Yaki Bello, who was at the JTF headquarters for another programme with his deputy, Brigadier-General Wuyep Rimtip, when the militants struck last Wednesday.

The heads of the Special security outfit was said to have briefed the Chief of Defence Staff who in turn sought for the permission of the Presidency for the military operation.

“The militants gave a feeble resistance but cave in to the fire power of our boys. There is no doubt that about 200 of them must have died in the engagement. The battle was simple for our boys. They had been spoiling for action against that Tompolo and his boys in that camp who always claim they have more strength that them,” a security source disclosed.

It was gathered that after the Oporoza’s raid, the soldiers then moved to the nearby Kunukunuma and Okerenkoko, all around Chanomi creeks where the militants held sway, and leveled the communities.

The fate of the leader of Camp 5 militants, Government Ekpemukpolo alias Tompolo could not be ascertained as he was feared to be amongst those killed.

Saturday Tribune gathered that the Management of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has started evacuating their personnel from the troubled area while Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) restricted the movement of their workers within their facility.

The coodinator of the Joint Media Campaign Centre of JTF, Colonel Rabe Abubakar did not deny nor confirm the raid on the militants a camp attributing the exercise to cordon and search operation to weed out the criminals that attacked their soldiers and hijacked two vessels in the area.

While the raid lasted, there was palpable fear in Warri and environs as residents feared being caught up in possible cross fire between the soldiers and some of the known militants residing in the town and loyal to Camp5.

Meanwhile, all Ijaw youths may have gone underground for the fear of arrest as security men mounted survellance on them.

 

SAVE OUR SOULS

Date: Friday, May 15, 2009, 3:37 P

Today at around 10am communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom of Ijaw Nation in Delta State were attacked by the Joint Task Force (JTF), this

attack is unprovoked.

The Delta state Governor was informed and therefore aware that the

Gbaramatu Kingdom communities are to hold a celebration to install

our Regent, it was during this movements by the communities towards

Oporosa that the Ijaw People were suddenly and unprecedentedly

attacked, by 30 gunboats, 2 warships,

4 helicopters, and 6 jet fighters on the orders of Federal Government.

The claim by the JTF that we laid ambush for them is a lie, why will

we lay ambush for them when Delta state is recognised as been the most peaceful State amongst all the states were Ijaws are found? Why will we lay ambush for them when we are in a festive mood??

We were attacked simultaneously in two communities, did we lay ambush in two communities? ?

one of this communities is a dead end!!!

The attack commenced as the Federal Government claimed to have offered AMNESTY. What manner of Amnesty is this that kills the old, women, men and children??

What manner of Amnesty is this that overruns five Ijaw communities? ?

What manner of Amnesty is this that commits Genocide, and Ethnic cleansing??

Today IYC is clelebrating Adaka Boro Day what a slap in the face of

our suffering??

The Vice President of the federal Republic of Nigeria has been out of

this Country for the past 7days, was he sent out of the Country to further embarrass him by attacking and killing his people??, if this was done to further alienate him from his people, it has failed the Vice

President is an Ijaw man.

We expect all Ijaw sons and daughters in Federal Government lead by

the Vice President, to resign enmasse if they claim to be

representing the Ijaw People.

Failing to resign in the face of this Genocide and Ijaw cleansing will

mean that they are not representing Ijaw People but themselves then we (Ijaws) will know from this day that we are on our own and that they are part of the betrayal of Ijaw Nation.

It is clear that the Federal Government has declared Genocidal war on

Ijaws, and to resign will show the World that we accept we are not

Nigerians, and we leave Nigeria for Nigeria.

Nigeria should leave Ijaw peoples oil and gas for Ijaw people.

We are painfully remained of Odi, Odiama, and several other Ijaw

communities that had been wiped out by Obasanjo during his reign of

terror.(1999- 2007) This is Yar’Adua’s second Odi and the beginning of his own reign of terror as we are reminded of Yar’Adua’s destruction of Agge the hometown of the then Chief of Army Staff General Azazi, all this to get control our resources.

We call on the World to come to our aid, and condemn the Nigeria

Government and their murderous JTF and oil theft cartel, which

Yar’Adua has identified and accepted as the Major reason participants of the crisis in the Niger Delta.

SAVE OUR SOULS.

General Priye Ebi

 

Lieutenant, 14 others feared dead in JTF, militants clash

Written by Emma Amaize
Friday, 15 May 2009

Bandits hijack NNPC tanker

 

WARRI — FIFTEEN persons, including seven soldiers, one of them a Lieutenant were feared to have been shot dead in Wednesday’s gun battle between militants and men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) on the Niger-Delta at the Chanomi Creeks in Delta State just as militants have hijacked and diverted a tanker, which was chartered by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) to deliver condensate to the Warri Ports.

An Ijaw community leader, Chief Timothy Ayebra confirmed to Vanguard, yesterday, that eight innocent villagers who were fishing at the time of the crossfire were killed.

He said their corpses were picked up, yesterday. His words “Yesterday’s (Wednesday) attack by the JTF left some villagers who were fishing at the time of the incident dead. This resulted from the sporadic shooting of the military men. So far eight corpses have been recovered from the river.”

Vanguard confirmed from credible security sources that besides the seven dead soldiers, whose corpses have not been found, no fewer than 10 others were injured.

A JTF source told Vanguard that the soldiers concerned have been declared missing, as it was wrong to proclaim them dead when “we have not seen their corpses.

“What happened was that their gunboat capsized, as they were trying to make a u-turn and they fell into the water, the militants surrounded them and shot directly on them inside the water”, he explained.

But Coordinator of the Media Campaign Centre of the JTF, Colonel Rabe Abubakar said when contacted on the death of seven soldiers that he would only confirm that soldiers were injured in the gun battle and not that any of them died.

Told by Vanguard that contrary to the JTF position that only two soldiers were injured, six injured soldiers were taken to the Central Hospital, Warri on Wednesday and later relocated to the Chevron Clinic, he said the two were the critical cases.

The fear that the JTF was planning a reprisal and which has led to tension in the creeks of the state, was, however, debunked by Colonel Abubakar who told Vanguard that there was no such plan.

Security chiefs meet in Abuja

Vanguard gathered authoritatively that security chiefs met in Abuja on Wednesday night over the development in Delta state and while some suggested a military option, others said it would be unwise to take such a step, knowing what happened in Odi and other places that the military invaded.

It was finally agreed at the meeting that a military option should not be used, as the Delta State Government had been able to maintain peace in the state for almost two years now, but, for the recent incident. The security chiefs advised that dialogue should be used so as not to send a wrong signal to the international community.

Commander of the task force, Major General Sarki Bello, the land component commander, Brigadier-General Nanven Wuyep Rimtip and other senior officials of the JTF were locked in a meeting all through yesterday in Warri.

It was gathered that top officers of the JTF had come to Warri for a meeting on the restructuring of the task force only to be confronted with the latest situation on ground.

A soldier who spoke to Vanguard said, “Some of us have not slept since yesterday (Wednesday), it is not easy, some of our people were killed by militants”.

JTF confirms hijack of tanker

Confirming the hijack of an NNPC chartered tanker, Colonel Abubakar said, “In their bid to continue to perpetrate their criminal activities and to portray the oil rich region as unsafe for viable economic activities, suspected group of militants from Camp 5 led by Tompolo in Delta State, has forcefully hijacked a CM Spirit NNPC chartered tanker while sailing to Warri to discharge some condensate today the 13th of May 2009.

“The tanker was hijacked around Chanomi Creek and the crew and the Captain of the tanker have been taken to unknown location around the Camp 5 area”.

Colonel Abubakar stated, “This action by the militants is against the general interest of the public especially in the face of the lingering fuel scarcity. He also said that these ungodly acts are against the tenet of emancipation of the Niger Delta. This is criminality in its entirety which must not be condoned”

Colonel Abubakar added that the fate of the crew members and the Captain was yet to be ascertained, adding, “The JTF Operation Restore Hope is closely monitoring this barbaric conduct of the militants”.

Another hijack

He also confirmed the hijack of a cargo ship, which was reported yesterday by Vanguard saying, “In a related development, a cargo Ship was equally hijacked by the same militants at Chanomi Creek; the ship was also sailing to Warri when it was hijacked by the militants from Camp 5."

Sporadic shootings

Meanwhile, there were sporadic shootings in the creeks and Warri waterside, yesterday, by angry soldiers and villagers continued with their mass exodus from areas considered to be targets of soldiers.

Two persons were shot by stray bullets and were rushed to the Central Hospital, Warri for treatment. Our source said, “The soldiers were just shooting indiscriminately around the area, causing tension among the people”.

MEND declares N-Delta “no- fly” zone

MEND also claimed it launched pre-emptive attacks on two marine bases of the Joint Task Force (JTF) on the Niger-Delta in Delta State, in the early hours of yesterday, devastating about five gunboats and other support vessels.

The militant group also yesterday, declared Niger-Delta a “no-fly” zone to helicopters and float planes operating on behalf of oil companies with effect from 0000 hours tomorrow (Saturday) just as it extended the deadline for oil companies to evacuate their facilities from the region by 48 hours.

MEND in a statement signed by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, said “at exactly 0200 hours on Thursday, May 14, 2009, special commandos from the militant group launched what it described as “pre-emptive simultaneous attacks on two military Joint Task Force marine bases in Delta state in response to a planned punitive invasion on some protesting oil communities.

“Overall, five gun boats and various support vessels have been destroyed in one night thereby confirming the success of Operation Pearl Harbor.

“As we begin stripping the oil industry naked of an unreliable cover, oil workers are advised to don the cloak of common sense and evacuate all oil facilities in the Niger Delta before the arrival of an imminent hurricane.

“Considering the extension of time plea by some oil companies, we are extending our quit deadline by another 48 hours to enable complete staff evacuation”, he stated.

JTF dismisses MEND's claim

JTF however dismissed MEND’s claim. In a statement signed by Colonel Abubakar, the Task Force noted, “This is to inform the press that there was no attack on our bases by 0200hrs by militants; therefore, the issue of destroying 5 JTF gunboats should not arise. An attack had to take place before you can begin to talk of what were destroyed or not, as such the statement by MEND or any other group was not only baseless but was unfounded as there is no iota of truth in that shameful and unprovoked false release”.

 

IYC Organize a Public Lecture on “Amnesty and Legal implication on our struggle for Self Determination”, As part of Activities to commemorate the 2009 Boro Remembrance Day

We wish to cordially invite all Ijaw sons and daughters, and the general public to a Public Lecture on "Amnesty and Legal Implication on the Struggle for Self Determination", to commemorate the 2009 Boro Remembrance Day.

Traditionally, Boro Day is a unique occasion set aside to reflect on the legacies and ideals of our late hero, however we want to use this year’s occasion to critically identify and deploy credible mechanisms for amnesty in terms of rehabilitation, re-integration and other strategies that are geared toward achieving a new sustainable engagement for “High Risk Groups” in our coastal Communities, for stability and socio-economic advancement.

Our Communities has been saddled with structural and systemic disabilities worsened particularly by the flurry of violent conflicts, consequent upon a myriad of vexing public paradoxes plaguing the region. Social conflicts have become a normative way of earning attention in resolving issues, with the rampant hostage taking of expatriate staff of the multinational corporations, which have more recently climaxed to include kidnapping of local indigenous people for ransom.

These problems remain unabated despite series of intervention strategies deployed by various stakeholders including Governments agencies, the oil industry, civil society organizations and other interested stakeholders.

The increasing systemic and structural challenges makes it imperative for a multifaceted intervention approach through an organized coordinating platform enabled to interface effectively to bring peace to Communities in the region.

Expectedly, the proposed Amnesty by the Federal Government of Nigeria if genuine will create a new opportunity and possibilities for positive intervention.

To this end, we seek to use this platform created by the new order to posit sustainable means of engagement for “High Risk Groups” in the region. It noteworthy that all the groups recognize that peace is crucial ingredient for development and progress, and to achieve this goal, we hope to identify strategic approach to reintegration these groups of people into the society.

The main lecture will focus on “Amnesty and legal implication on our struggle for Self Determination”, while other Guest Speakers will focus on the Legacies and ideals of our late hero, and the need to re-strategize in our pursuit.

The Event

A Keynote Lecture to be delivered by Prof. Finine Fekumo.

Under the Distinguished Chairmanship of: Dr. Atuboyedia .W. Obianimi, President INC

Guest of Honour/ Keynote Address to be delivered by; His Excellency Chief Timipre Sylver, Governor of Bayelsa State

Other Guest Speakers; Mr. Densil Amagbe Kentebe, INC Chairman- LAGOS

and Dr. Felix Tuodolo

Other Guest: Friend of the Niger Delta

Father of the Day: Chief E.K Clark

Host: Dr. Chris Ekiyor, President IYC Worldwide

DATE: Friday May 15th 2009

VENUE: Cultural Centre, Yenagoa- Bayelsa State

TIME: 10AM

Saturday May 16th 2009

Ogele Cultural procession in Kaiama Town and Port-Harcourt Respectively

Thank you.

GOODLUCK EMINAH

ASG- IYC WorldWide

On behalf of the National Leadership

How to end Niger Delta crisis, by British envoy

From Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja
BRITISH Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Bob Dewar, has attributed the lingering crisis in the Niger Delta to the years of alleged neglect of the area by successive governments in Nigeria.
Dewar also urged the current federal administration to move into the oil-rich but crisis-torn region and develop its infrastructure, stressing that this and good governance would check upheaval in the area.
The envoy, who spoke in Abuja during a visit to the Minister of Information and Communications, Dora Akunyili, observed that the Niger Delta people had not benefited from revenues accruing from oil and gas taken from the region over the years.
Specifically, he asked the Federal Government to provide good education, health care, employment and development projects in the region, stressing that these would go a long way in ending youth restiveness in the area.
His words: "The Niger Delta people have not benefited from the oil and gas revenue. It is very important that the people in this country should enjoy the benefits of the revenue from oil in the form of education and infrastructure. "
The envoy assured that Britain would support the Federal Government to overcome its challenges in Niger Delta.
On negative reportage of Africa by the Western media, the British High Commissioner said: "When there is any incident, it will be reported by the international press and anytime there is a positive event it will also be reported."
He enjoined Nigerian government officials to be more open to the media, saying this would help government to give its own side of the story.
Responding, Akunyili said President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua was committed to providing physical infrastructure and improve security in Nigeria to encourage more investors to come into the country.
Akunyili, who solicited the support of the British government in the re-brand Nigeria campaign, said: "We are committed to re-branding Nigeria and we look forward to getting support from you, especially in the area of advice. This will help in convincing the world that Nigerians are not all fraudsters and criminals. It is not a country that nothing works; you are here and you can see that certain things are working."

Rivers, Bayelsa Set For Okilo’s Burial

• Sunday, Apr 19, 2009
The Rivers and Bayelsa state governments have for formally announced the death of Senator Melford Okilo, former governor of the Old Rivers State.

A press release made available to The Tide On Sunday in Port Harcourt said, “their Excellencies, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and Chief Timipre Sylva, governors of Rivers and Beyelsa states, respectively, hereby announce with sincere gratitude to Almighty God the call to eternal glory of our dear and reverred leader, the first civilian governor of Old Rivers State, former parliamentary secretary to the prime minister, former commissioner for education, Rivers State, member Constituent Assembly, 1970, former national vice chairman, National Party of Nigeria (NPN), former Minister of Commerce and Tourism, former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President of the University of Science and Philosophy, USA, Author and Philosopher, Chief Senator (Dr) Melford Obiene Okilo, CFR.”

The statement also said that after due consultations with the vice president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan and members of the extended Okilo family, Ogbia Council of Chiefs and Ogbia brotherhood, a burial programme for the late elder statesman was also announced.According to the programme there would be a memorial Golf Tournament at the Port Harcourt Club Golf Section on Tuesday and Wednesday, 28 and 29 April, 2009, respectively, while Thursday 30th April 2009 would feature tributes to the elder statesman at the main bowl of the Alfred Diete Spiff Civic Centre by 2.00pm, while a state banquet holds the same day by 7.30 pm for guests of Rivers State government.

The statement further said that Friday May, 2009 will see the body lie in state at the mainbowl of the civic centre Port Harcourt by 9.00am, the body which departs Port Harcourt for Yenagoa by 10.15am will lie in state at Government House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State by 11.50 am.

The body will later depart to Ogbia Town, Bayelsa State by 1.50pm while brief ceremonies hold by the Obanohan in-council and Ogbia brotherhood at Ogbia Town. Signed by Ms Medline Tador (JP), the statement said that the body will depart Ogbia town for Emakalakala by 2.50 pm where it will lie in state at Owaba funeral parlour.

Other activities include night of reflections and state banquet, while Saturday May 2nd will feature traditional wrestling, funeral service at St. Barth's Anglican Church, Emkakalakala, while interment and entertainment follow respectively.

John Bibor

 

Amnesty accuses police of brutalising militants

Written by Anayo Okoli
Monday, 20 April 2009

Amnesty International has accused policemen operating in the Niger Delta region of “increasingly using illegal and violent means to tackle suspected militants and criminals in the area.” It also accused the police of employing enforced disappearances, torture, and illegal killings. “We are seeing what appears to be a worrying rise in the use of extreme violence by the police in the Niger Delta – despite reported government suggestions of a gun amnesty as a way of trying to resolve some of the serious problems that have been plaguing the region for years,” Aster Van Kregten, Amnesty International’s Nigeria researcher said in a statement.

According to its statement, on April 7, Chika Ibeku, a former member of the Deewell, a criminal gang in the Niger Delta, was arrested by police and then held by the Swift Operation Squad (SOS), in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with three other unnamed men. The four men are now alleged to be missing.

“Amnesty International is concerned that they may have been tortured and killed by the police,” the statement said, adding that “the Port Harcourt police deny any knowledge of the four men.

“We are calling on the Nigerian police to publicly confirm the arrest and detention of Chika Ibeku and the three others and immediately disclose their fate and whereabouts,” Aster van Kregten said.

Amnesty International said information available to it indicated that prior to his arrest, Chika Ibeku had allegedly surrendered his guns to the police following the recent reports about an amnesty for militants in the Niger Delta.

Ibeku was said to have been initially detained at the Omoko Police Station, where he was last seen by family members on the morning of April 8, 2009. His family was said to have then been informed by SOS officers that they were holding him at their detention centre, Old GRA, in Port Harcourt.

His family and lawyers were said to have been denied access to him, while on Sunday, 12 April, officers at the SOS centre allegedly denied any knowledge of his whereabouts.

“The police’s refusal to disclose the whereabouts of Chika Ibeku is deeply troubling, especially in light of the history of torture and unlawful killings by the police in the Niger Delta region. This amounts to an enforced disappearance, a method usually used to cover up gross human rights violations, such as torture and murder”, Amnesty said.

MEND set for civil war

•Says N’ Delta govs irrelevant
By Daniel Alabrah
Sunday, April 19, 2009

 

Ongoing moves by the military to flush out militants from the Niger Delta might snowball into a full-blown war if feelers from the creeks are anything to go by.

Investigation revealed that following last Monday’s bloody confrontation between a detachment of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and a group of militants in the Nembe Creek in Bayelsa State, some of the militant camps have commenced fresh recruitment of youths.

Three naval personnel were reportedly killed while four others were captured by the militants, who were also said to have lost scores of their fighters when their boats were sunk.
As a result, a source said the military has deployed more troops in the region as a way of strengthening its ‘Operation Flush Out Militants.’

In an email response to Sunday Sun enquiry, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) confirmed its readiness to confront the military in a civil war, warning that its fighters were battle-ready if the JTF attacks any community or its camps under the guise of fishing out militants.
Its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, said in the event of war with the military, they will defend the region with the support of the people rather than rely on the Niger Delta governors, who he said were not relevant to their struggle.

MEND said it would also bank on the spiritual force of the Ijaw gods of war (Egbesu and Osuopele) to withstand the onslaught of the military even as it revealed that sympathizers in the military will “provide intelligence and materials” to the group.

“The first weaponry we have is guts and the knowledge we are fighting a just war for the control of our resources... We believe in action than too much talk. We have been prepared for a time as this and will be waiting for them to come and flush us out.

“(This) is not a bluff and the military knows that. We are waging a guerrilla-type war and there are many advantages to our side such as terrain adaptability and knowledge, natural born fighters who are not motivated by a monthly salary and, of course, the youths of the region; many of whom are itching to join our forces when a civil war begins.
“The governors of the Niger Delta states are irrelevant to the struggle. They were not elected into office and therefore are not legitimate representatives of the people. Like the typical Nigerian politicians, they are not seeing the big picture but the short-term gains of stolen wealth. Our support has been and will continue to come from the oppressed good people of the region and that is all we need,” MEND said in its response.

According to the militia group, while it would count on the people of the region to play various acts of sabotage, it said it “will employ more intelligent arsenal and tactics that will not need more than two operatives to cause collateral damage that would ordinarily have taken fifty men to achieve. Since oil is the mainstay of the enemy (Nigerian government), we will tie the oil and gas industry to the fray by shutting down the industry.”

MEND faulted claims by the JTF that its operatives drowned scores of the militants during the Easter Monday confrontation, asking the security outfit to produce the dead bodies.
“Four naval ratings were captured. The military is embarrassed to acknowledge that because it will amaze the public. To capture a soldier means that there was a close confrontation…We will try to get pictures or a video of the men with their full names, number and unit since they will have families and friends that will recognize them.

“The sinking of four boats with all the occupants numbering 14 as claimed by the army is an obvious lie. Since the bodies are expected to float, let them take journalists to the spot to proof their claim. The real figure is the death of three naval ratings, which the army denied but has been confirmed by the Navy, and four naval ratings captured, which they are silent about due to the shame,” the insurgent group stated.

JTF vs Militants: It’s all lies!

Written by Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South

Saturday, 18 April 2009

ONE of the Commanders of the Movement for Emancipation of the Niger-Delta (MEND), Commander Ogunbos, who led the squad that had a fierce gun battle with the Joint Task Force (JTF) on the Niger-Delta during the Easter festivity at Igbomotoru in Bayelsa State, opened up exclusively to Saturday Vanguard, weekend, on the horrendous encounter and strongly rebutted the claim by the task force that 18 militants lost their lives.

Ogunbos who interacted in impeccable English with Saturday Vanguard is also the leader of the Niger-Delta Vigilante Force in Bayelsa State and a graduate according to him.

He spoke for more than one hour on phone, in the early hours of yesterday, with this reporter, giving insight into why he is fighting for the freedom of the Niger-Delta people, his grouse against Nigerian leaders, conditions for acceptance of amnesty by freedom fighters and his anger with the media over the Niger-Delta crises.

First, he placed on record that Saturday Vanguard is the first newspaper he is speaking to since the gun battle with the JTF because he wanted a paper that would give an accurate account of the situation , and not exacerbate or tell the opposite of what happened or attribute things to him even when he did not speak with the paper. He mentioned a national newspaper (not Saturday Vanguard) that claimed to have spoken to him when he did not grant any interview.

According to the MEND Commander, who was linked to Saturday Vanguard by another senior Commander of MEND. He, (Ogunbos) was coming from an undisclosed location within his territory in the creeks of Bayelsa State when he and his squad ran into an ambush of the troops of the JTF, and because he did not have the intention of fighting them, he tactically turned back.

“I am not afraid and the gods of Niger-Delta will never allow me to be afraid. I am not in any battle with the JTF. I have not killed any of them and my focus on the Niger-Delta struggle is clear, we are fighting for the emancipation of our people”, he said.

Commander Ogunbos said he retreated to let the JTF soldiers to go their way but he found out that instead of going their way, they pursued him and he had take up the cudgel when he saw that the supposed handshake had crossed the waist to the elbow region.

In his words, “They laid ambush and shot at our boats, I ran but still saw them following me. Unfortunately for them, I had to lay ambush for them too and one of the soldiers was killed while others escaped from our hands”.

He said the militant group did not want to retaliate the attack by the JTF because they were near a community and did not want the soldiers to use confrontation with them as a guise to invade communities and kill innocent villagers.

“They said that they sunk four of our boats and that 15 of our men or so were killed. I want to tell you that there is nothing like that. Nobody was killed not to talk of 15, 18 persons or those numbers they are quoting were killed.. Not even a bullet got into my boat. I have not offended the gods of Ijaw land, so they will not allow their guns to enter me, that is the truth”, he stated.

He said he was angry when he was told that a newspaper reported that “I spoke to it on the encounter with the JTF and quoted me to have said certain things. I want to tell you categorically that I did not speak to that newspaper. You (reporter), is the first person I am speaking to since the encounter.”

Justifying his anger against the press, he said that sometime ago, the Bayelsa state governor, Chief Timipre Sylva said he was ashamed of the youths of the state because out of the 70 of them the government sent out for a training programme, only one passed.

He said that he (Ogunbos) spoke to some journalists, saying that he was ashamed of Chief Sylva as a governor for failing to provide functional educational materials and facilities for the youths of the state to excel in their educational endeavours..

He said that part of the problem of the state for which the freedom fighters have cried themselves hoarse was that the schools in the state were ill-equipped where they exist at all and should be resuscitated. The MEND commander said he was taken aback when one of the newspapers reported that he (Ogunbos) said that he, like Sylva, was ashamed of the performance of the youths.

According to him, “I am not a criminal. Why should anybody call me a criminal because I am asking for my fundamental rights as a Nigerian from the Niger-Delta ? Am I a criminal for asking that the country should revert to true federalism? Am I a criminal because I am saying that my people should be given functional education?

Am I criminal because I am saying that my region is producing the wealth of this country and we are entitled to the benefits of such wealth also? Tell me what are they calling me a criminal for”.

He insisted it was unfair to report that the JTF killed 18 militants or thereabout when nothing of such happened even if the task force fed the media with such information, saying, “I think the media should get the other side of the story when they are reporting events in the Niger-Delta, they should be careful so as not to escalate the crisis”.

Pointing out that he hails from an oil community in Bayelsa state, where the Shell Petroleum Development Company has over 30 oil wells and Agip, about six oil wells or so and yet, his brother, who is also a graduate cannot survive unless he goes to the Rivers to pack sand, Ogunbos said the injustice on the people of the Niger-Delta has become unbearable.

On amnesty to militants, he said, “I do not accept amnesty based on the fact that our leaders are not trustworthy”.

He said it was difficult to understand the Nigerian system, adding that if former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar could not understand the Ex- President and his former boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who he worked with for eight years and if Obasanjo could stab Atiku at the back after both of them appeared to have re-united, “then, it is difficult for the freedom fighters in the Niger-Delta to understand Yar’Adua and what he meant by his amnesty”.

Pressed to give the conditions on which militants would be ready to accept amnesty, he said he was not interested in giving any condition, but, his decision to speak to Saturday Vanguard was to clarify that he did not make the comments attributed to him in the press on the encounter with the JTF.

“I am not even interested in telling anybody what happened in the encounter. I don’t really care. We know what we are fighting for. Some of those talking do not even know how our minds work but we know what our people want and we are drawing attention to them.

“The fact that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is the Vice President today is not because he fought for it. It is because of what we are doing in the creeks to draw attention to our problems. So he should do the right thing now that he is there”.

When reminded that the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Paul Dike who also hail from the Niger-Delta at a reception for him by the Delta State Government recently implored Niger-Delta youths to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue, he said the people of the region have dialogued for long time without solution and since the only language the Nigerian leadership understand is the language of force, they would continue to apply force.

Told that it was not everybody carrying gun in the creek that is a freedom fighter and that has given the struggle a bad name, he said, “We are doing everything possible to flush them out but what the genuine freedom fighters are doing is our way of protesting the injustice in the Nigerian system.

“We are crying for freedom for the entire country, not just Niger-Delta. Our fighting today goes beyond the streets of Niger-Delta. We are saying that they should give us our human rights, they should give us shelter”, he added.

Pressed further on what the government should do for the militants to accept amnesty and allow a breathing space for development since Julius Berger abandoned its contract on East-West Road because of insecurity, and there is no way development can take place in the region in such an atmosphere, he said the interview was not about amnesty but since the reporter was insisting, “I will say that all those being detained by the government in respect of the Niger-Delta struggle, including Henry Okah should be released .This is the first condition.

It is only when those who have been detained are released that we, who are fighting can sit down to listen to them and know whether they are serious in what they are talking.

“Of course, the next thing is for them to come up with their package of developing the region. Right now, there is nothing to show that they want to develop the region; everything I am seeing is wrapped in deceit, nothing tangible to the best of my knowledge. They should make provision for quality education of the people; they should make provision for employment of our youths, they keep saying that they are working things out, we don’t see what they are doing”, he said.

Ogunbos also suggested that the federal government should be sincere on what they do and say regarding the Niger-Delta crises and should also not see those that oppose the system as enemies, but, see them as people criticizing them to help them correct existing anomalies.

In his words, “There is no state without a level of lawlessness and Nigeria is not an exception. So, the government should not say because the youths of the Niger-Delta are agitating for their rights, then, they are criminals and lawless”.

He pointed out also that the judiciary, as the last hope of the common man should be left to be truly independent, not to be manipulated by the powers that be to witch-hunt the poor, as all the laws in the country, in one way or the other, are oppressive of the poor and protector of the rich.

“The way the law is applied to the poor in this country is different from the way it is applied to the rich. Let justice be equal to everyone of us. The difference between the leadership of God and man is that God gave His laws and was the first person to fulfil them but our leaders don’t fulfil the laws they have made, they use it to oppress the citizens. They are people controlling the judges and they tell them the judgment to deliver.

How can people not be free to express themselves and you jail them when they go to court to seek justice and you think things will work? It is not impossible.

“Go to the Prisons and carry out your investigation and you will find out that many people are being detained for the crimes they did not commit and there is no way for them to say their mind because the laws have been made to castrate them”, he said.

Ogunbos said he was being guided and protected in his struggle for emancipation of the people of the region by the gods and as long as the swamps remain his home, and he and other freedom fighters have not offended the gods, they would continue to guide them and no gun fired at him by the enemies of the gods would pierce his body.

GLARING LEAKAGES NOTICED BY NDEBUMOG IN THE NIGER DELTA MINISTRY’S 2009 BUDGET.

The Niger Delta receives trillions of Naira from the Federation Account. But there is no apparent accountability process in the region. National Parliamentarians from the region who are in Abuja have not shown enough of representation of the people. They have shown more that they are representing themselves, with their hearts put tightly in their expansive pockets. It is for this reason that they were unable to argue on behalf of the region during the 2009 budget debate. They sat there (sleeping), and the FCT got a budget of N159 billion, while the new Niger Delta Ministry got N51 billion.

While some states in the Niger Delta are laying claims to infrastructural development and governance, it is clear that such claims, if they exist at all, are isolated. There is a lack of credible Civil Society involvement in the Monitoring and Evaluation of these so-called development and bogus claims by some governments in the Niger Delta. Participation by people (civil society) outside government in the monitoring of projects and policies is zero.

However, citizens of the Niger Delta, and Nigeria must re-awaken and begin to ask questions on budget(s) and fiscal policies. In line with this, and within the internal modus operandi of the Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group (NDEBUMOG), part of which emphasizes “simplifying and disseminating budget information”, we hereby put before you, information about extravagant ‘viruses’ in the budget of the new Niger Delta Ministry 2009. As citizens of the Niger Delta we demand increased allocation to the region, and charge citizen to ask questions about how monies already allocated to region is put to use.

Here, we present a table of chat, which practically explains the sectoral tabulation of the Ministry’s budget. Such will assist the people in the understanding of budget mechanics. We also capture here Budget-line Chat of Account Code(s) to help stakeholders and communities who have capital projects in the Ministry’s 2009 budget to identify and track their project(s). The Chat of Account (Classification) Codes we have captured here is for proper tracing and identification of these projects as captured centrally in Nigeria’s overall 2009 budget document.

Clearly speaking, NDEBUMOG Regional Accountability Centre is worried that, some of the project(s) imposed on the (ND) Ministry maybe duplication of projects that had been executed or paid for by states within the region.
Therefore, we demand from the Niger Delta Ministry, that, from the 2010 fiscal year, they should borrow Actionaid International- Nigeria ’s concept of holding a pre-budget summit in the region, to reconcile areas of interventions by the states, MDAs and interventionist agencies, while the Civil Society and Communities are invited to provide the necessary budget intelligence.

The Niger Delta Ministry’s 2009 budget portrays a bureaucracy that suffers from the virus of extravagancy. Clearly, it is a psyche that is disconnected from the reality, and afflicted with the Dutch disease of resource-poverty.

WASTAGE VIRUSES

• From the Ministry’s budget under the sub-head 071000 and Classification (Code of Accounts) Chat number-066000002050 700, there is the sectoral allocation for “Travels & Transport- General”.

• Down the sectoral (Account) Chat Code(s)-06600000505 00, 06600000225051 and 0660000050502 is another allocation for both local and international training(s) which is gulping over half a billion in the budget. We ask, what is new about the Niger Delta struggle and Question that would require over N500 Million budget (for a year) for (interventionist) trainings and its associated travels, locally and internationally?
This is a clear way of robbing the people of the region through DSAs, Flight stubs, Hotel bills, and questionable honorariums. If there is need for training (at all) in human capacity, why not use local hands?

Moreover, the way the allocation for ‘local, international travels and trainings” is phrased and split-factored in the Ministry’s budget seems like “blind budgeting”, possibly for only people with budget analytical expertise to decode.

• Under (Utilities) General, with Chat of Account (Classification) Code number-066000002100 200 is; “electricity charges, telephone charges, internet access charges, satellite broadcasting access charges, water rates, sewage and leased communication line(s)” costing a total sum of N286.5 Million.

• Yet, there is another enveloping of N20 Million under the “Expenditure Line Chat (Code)-066000002100 299” tagged “Other Utility Charges” which brought utility (sectoral) allocation to N306.5 Million.

• Allocation of N20 Million in the Ministry’s budget for “Uniforms and Clothing” demands explanation of the particular beneficiaries of that allocation.

• The sectoral total for “Materials & Supplies- General” is totaling N135 Million, but the allocation of N40 Million in this same enveloped for “Other Materials & Supplies” exposes fiscal indiscipline and how the government toys with un-itemized contingencies. . No wonder the Fiscal Responsibility Act is in the government mortuary.
How much is the cost of furniture to be used within a year that would take this Ministry N15 Million of public funds as “Cost of Office Furniture Maintenance? This can be seen in Chat (Code)-066000002200 405.

• Curiously, seeing the sum of N50 Million for “Refreshment and Meals” in the Ministry’s budget exposes the chronic squandermania and conveys a feeling of lack of concern for our suffering people. This can be seen under the sub-head “Miscellaneous” with “Classification (Code- 066000002501001) .

• The Ministry also lumped (under-066000002450 906), the sum of N10 Million for “Cooking Gas/Fuel Cost”. Apart from the N50 Million for feeding and refreshment, it is curious the Ministry still needs N10 Million for cooking Gas, which it cleverly tied with fuel so as to confuse Nigerians. Is this what the monetization policy of government is all about?
• There is also a cost of N40 Million for “Sea Boat Fuel; Cost-06600000245090 3) allocated for sea travelling. This is coming at a time when the Ministry does not have a budget for boat procurement. How and where does the Ministry want to spend this huge sum? Already, there is a bloated budget for “local travels? Assuming they are to hire boats with prices that are localized, is N40Million justifiable?

Before moving to other sectoral areas of the Ministry’s budget for (Community) development, it is necessary to arouse public sensibility on how this Ministry wants to spend over N50 Million (?) which is allocated to “Anti-corruption and Monitoring Unit”.

• There is N1 Billion –Code 071000002002005) for “Orientation, Civic Responsibility and Communications” which is tricky. Are we all mad to need a billion budgeted for “Civic Orientation? But linking “communications” with this (sub-head) means this N1 Billion can also be spent on communications, which already has a sub-enveloped.

• The Ministry is also spending citizens’ money on generators. It has budgeted N30 Million to run its generators for one year. It means in aggregate, the entire Ministries of the Federal government could be spending billions on generators, when at the same time; they are toying with the Power Probe or reviving the sector.

Beloved citizens, open your eyes and watch-out, your community could be among those listed below in the Niger Delta Ministry’s (Capital) projects as we have captured. NDEBUMOG is picking all the project(s) listed only for the South-South Geopolitical area. Communities in the Niger Delta outside the South-South are not captured. We carefully do not want to breach NDEBUMOG’s policy, which defines our main area of focus to be the South-South Zone. Civil Society organizations in other Zones can take up the challenge of analyzing for those communities. NDEBUMOG is willing to partner, share information, collaborate and share capacity with such groups as they come.

HERE GOES THE MINISTRY’S PROJECTS FOR 2009

Chat of Classification
Accounts:

066060004007001 -Contribution to local organizations- N50 Million
07100001000000 -Ongoing Projects (others) - N 48 Billion
071000010010000 -East West Road (Section I) Warri – Kaima N 28.4 Billion
071000010020000 –East West Road (Section II) Warri-PHC N 8 Billion
071000010030000 –East West Road (Section III) PHC-Eket N 7Billion
071000010040000 –East West Road (Section IV) Eket-Oron N 7Billion
071000010050000- Idumuje Unor Erosion Control Project Delta-N83.7 Million.
071000010060000 - Conservation and Development of Coastal Ecosystem (Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem) GCLME (Rivers and Bayelsa) N 9.1Million
071000200200002 –Construction of (ND) Ministry State Offices, furnishing and equipping N 1.3 Billion
0710000200200003 – Design and Cost Prototype for Skill Centers in the Niger Delta N 50 Million
0710000200200004 –Skill Centers in 9 State N 2.7 Billion
0710000200200006 –Study, Design and Cost for Technology Centers N 50 Million
0710000200200007 –Niger Delta Coastal Road N 300 Million
0710000200200008 –Land Reclamation/ shore Protection in Kurutie Communities of Gbaranatu Clan in Warri South-West of Delta State, Effiat Mbo in Mbo L.G.A of Akwa Ibom State and Ikuru Town in Andoni L.G.A of Rivers State N 1.05 Billion
0710000200200009 –Housing Scheme Mortgage N 500 Million
071000020020010 -Peace and Security Employment Corps N 500 Million
071000020020011 –Ekparakwa –Ukanafan- Ikot Uko Aba Road in Akwa Ibom State N 500 Million
071000020020020012 –Odoro –Atan –Ikot-Ekpang –Ukot Inyang- Okop-Ibio Ete-Amadakada –Ikorote Roads, Akwa Ibom State N 200 Million
071000020020013 –Ikot-Ekwere- Ndukpo Ise-Ikot Eyo-Ukot Ntung with Bridge N 250 Million
071000020020014 –Internal Road Network in Mbak Atai-Akwa Ibom State N 150 Million
071000020020015 –Idoro Eastern Ibiono, Itam Water Scheme N 100 Million
071000020020022 –Internal Road in Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State N 200 Million
071000020023 –Electrification Project in Khana LGA of Rivers State N 200 Million
071000020020024 –Omelema Agada 2 Road in Rivers State N 100 Million
071000020020025 –Amadiama-Abuloma Road PHC Rivers State N 250 Million
071000020026 –Electrification Project in Eleme Rivers State 200 Million
071000020027 –Technological Center-Eleme Rivers State-
071000020020028 –Skills Acquisition Center, Ikwere Rives State-
071000020020029 –Trans Orashi Road-Omoku-Odu- Eda Gberi Okarki-Ogbogolo –Ogonokom Abua Central, Ahoda Rivers State N 100 Million
071000020020030 –Medical College-UST Port Harcourt N 100 Million
071000020020036 –Sea Port Development at Gele-Gele Edo State N 400 Million
071000020020037 –Benin Abraka Road Edo State N 100 Million
071000020020038 –Construction of Ugbowoton Gele-Gele Road Edo State N 100 Million
071000020020039 –Skill Acquisition Center Aiye Kunle-Akoko Edo-Edo State N 200 Million
071000020020040 –Reconstruction of Uromi-Ohe-Uzea Road Edo State N 100 Million
071000020020041 –Ekang Okuni Road, Cross River State N 250 Million
071000020020042 –EREL Electrification Project Cross Rivers State N 100 Million
071000020020043 –Adiabo/Ibonda Electrification Project Cross River State 100 Million
071000020020044 – Nsidong-Ikot Inyang Road Cross River State N 150 Million
071000020020045 –Ubane and Utanga Water Project Cross River State N 150 Million
071000020020049 –Sagbama-Elemebiri Road Bayelsa State N 300 Million
071000020020050 –Electrification –Peremabiri-Ogbokiri in Akassa Bayelsa State N 200 Million
071000020020051 –Ekeremor Age Road Bayelsa State N 200 Million
071000020020052 –Otegwe I-to- Okodi Road Linked to Ekole Bridge Bayelsa State- N300 Million.
071000020020053- Internal Road at Opolo- Epie in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State N 150 Million
071000020020054 –Ekeremor Township Road, Bayelsa State N200 Million
071000020020055 –Araya Bible Site Road Delta State N 800 Million
071000020020056 –Warri -Burutu Forcados Delta State N 400 Million
071000020020057 –Ogriabeme –Torogbene Road Delta State N 20 Million
071000020020058 –Okirighwere –Amukpe –Eku-Agbor Road Delta State N 150 million
071000020020059 –Ore –Odorubuo-Kpakama –Bomadi Road N 200 Million
071000020020060 –Construction of Youth Skill Acquisition Center, Mosogar Delta State N 127 Million
071000020020061 –Construction of Internal Road in Ode –Ishekiri (Big Warri) Delta State N 200 Million
071000020020062 –Idemili- Kokori Road Project N 250 Million
071000020020063 –Women Development/ Recreational Center in Bomadi-Delta State N 250 Million
071000020020064 –Construction of Roads in Isoko North and South LGAs of Delta State N 150 Million

NDEBUMOG had cautioned earlier, about the possibility of duplication of some of these projects with what some states may be doing in the region. However, it would amount to gross inhumanity for the Federal Government to excavate projects that had been historically associated with MDAs, like Federal Rural Electrification Agency, Basin Authorities, Works and Environment and dumping them on the new Niger Delta Ministry, thereby, removing development interventions by these agencies from the region. They must all move side by side in developing the region, complimenting one another.

Close collaboration, consultation and pre-budget consultative summits are also needed to reduce the possibility of duplication beginning with 2010. However, all communities and stakeholders must consider it a right to monitor and watch-out when the government shall commence the execution of the projects listed above. The era of returning money for capital projects to the treasury is over, unless recurrent budgets are returned too.

The Civil Society must continue to play the role of watchdog, to make the impact of the overall budget felt by the people.

On behalf of all of us at NDEBUMOG Regional Accountability Center , signed;

George-Hill Anthony, FCBPA, Research Fellow-AIAE
National Coordinator
Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group (NDEBUMOG)

 

No deadline yet for gas flaring in N'Delta, says FG

Tuesday, 07 April 2009 00:00
Emmanuel Masha, Port Harcourt

Oil companies that engage in gas flaring in the Niger Delta region still have time to put measures in place to end the practice, as... the Federal Government has declared that no deadline has been fixed yet to stop the practice.

The Minister of the Environment, Mr. John Odey, stated this during an inspection of the National Oil Spill Protection Agency, under construction in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

He said the Federal Government was still working on a date to end gas flaring, but that it would be announced before the end of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s tenure expires.

Environment commissioners of states in the Niger Delta had repeatedly mounted pressure on the Federal Government to issue a deadline to oil-producing companies in the region, due to the effect of gas flaring on the communities.

 

Gunmen abduct Briton, blow up facility

Oil output drops by 300,000 barrels
From Madu Onuorah (Abuja), Kelvin Ebiri (Port Harcourt) and Yetunde Ebosele (Lagos)

MILITANTS in the Niger Delta struck yesterday in different parts of the region.
On Sunday, the armed men had abducted a Briton and killed his guard. Yesterday, they hit a houseboat used by an oil firm operating in the region and destroyed it.
These attacks, including many before yesterday's, have cost the nation dearly. A Central Bank of Nigeria report yesterday said that the nation's oil output had dropped by 300,00 barrels.
Security operatives told The Guardian that the bandits executed the abduction of the Briton at a hotel along the East-West Road in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, where he was having a drink.
On arrival, the kidnappers, who took great care not to arouse any suspicion, ordered drinks but minutes later, swooped on their target, shooting and killing the policeman attached to their victim, who was also drinking at the hotel.
The gunmen, sources said, swiftly dragged the expatriate into one of their cars and took him to an unknown destination.
Rivers State Police Command Spokesperson, Mrs. Rita Inoma-Abbey, who confirmed the incident, said the police were investigating it.
Also, the Joint Task Force (JTF) yesterday accused "some unrepentant and unpatriotic militants" of carrying out an early morning attack in which a boathouse belonging to DAEWOO Nig Ltd was destroyed in Igbomotoru, Delta State. The company was contracted to lay pipelines for the Italian oil firm, Agip Nigeria Ltd.
The JTF, which identified the leader of the militants that destroyed the boathouse as Ogunbos, vowed to "pursue and arrest those responsible for this attack."
And a report on the state of the Nigerian economy released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has shown that the fortunes of the oil industry dipped in January this year.
In the report, made available to The Guardian yesterday, CBN said in January, the country's daily production of crude oil, including condensates and natural gas liquids, dropped by 300,000 bpd from December's output of 2.2 million bpd to 1.9 mbd.
It said crude oil exports by Nigeria (which before the Niger Delta crisis, was rated as Africa's top producer) stood at 1.45 million bpd for the month under review. Although the country is still the world's eighth-largest oil exporter with a production capacity of 3.2 million bpd, the global meltdown and violence in the Niger Delta have drastically reduced its output to far below its potential.
The CBN said due to lower output coupled with the fall in global oil prices, Nigeria's oil income dropped by 19.2 per cent to $1.85 billion in January from $2.29 billion the preceding month.
Also yesterday, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said it had nothing to do with the general amnesty offered by the Federal Government to all militants, who renounce violence and turn in their weapons to the authorities.
Its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, in an online interview with The Guardian, said MEND would only surrender its arms on the orders of its incarcerated leader, Henry Okah, whom, he asked the government to immediately release unconditionally as part of the group's terms for peace in the Niger Delta.
But former Justice of the Supreme Court, Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, has argued that the capital punishment prescribed by some states would not check the menace of kidnapping. He said the measure might even harden up kidnappers, leading to more fatal abductions
His words: "When you say a person will be killed if caught for kidnapping, the person will say 'okay, I better kill since when they catch me I will be killed.' There is a need for caution. You can arrest somebody in error, try, convict and execute him. When you later discover that he is innocent, you have already killed him and you cannot correct that. That is the snag in capital punishment. You cannot reverse it when you find that you are wrong.
"That is why most people prefer life imprisonment or 20 years in prison. If the person is innocent and he is still alive you could exonerate him. The better option is not capital punishment. Capital punishment is not a solution for kidnapping."
Gbomo also said a holistic peace process, which must address core issues such as fiscal federalism, was imperative for the group's consideration of the government's amnesty offer.
He described President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's amnesty gesture as "a hoax," arguing that "you do not grant amnesty to someone who has not been convicted in the first place."
However, Governor Emannuel Uduaghan of Delta State has commended the President over the amnesty he offered to the militants.
Uduaghan, who spoke at a reception for the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Paul Dike in Asaba, last weekend, said the decision was a step in the right direction, stressing that it would help to solve the crisis in the area.
Gbomo accused Yar'Adua of ignoring the Niger Delta technical committee's recommendations on the crisis, describing it "as a mark of insincerity. "
He said: "How does the government expect the followers of a man to drop their weapons for the so-called amnesty when the leader has not been granted one. In the first place, we do not believe we are doing anything illegal to receive an amnesty."
Gbomo said the detained MEND leader was deceived into believing that he was part of a peace process when Vice President Goodluck Jonathan visited him in South Africa.
MEND said it would not involve itself in any talks with the government because these would fail over time. According to Gbomo, "we will only be involved in talks in which the international community takes part. Bakassi return would have been botched if the agreement was not solid. As you may recall, our senators tried to renege on the agreement."
Gbomo said some militants had been lured by such peace parleys and then arrested or killed, citing some recent incidents in Rivers State. He alleged that many youths have been executed at police stations and the Joint Task Force (JTF) base as suspected militants.
MEND said the current militarisation of the Niger Delta and the deployment of gunboats to the region might eventually lead to a civil war.
It cautioned that any attack on any of its bases would "lead to the complete halt of Nigerian oil and gas exports and the supply of gas for domestic power consumption. "
Oil accounts for 80 per cent of Nigeria's revenue. The decline in oil earnings led to Nigeria's external reserves dropping by six per cent from the previous level of $53 billion to $50.05 billion in January, the apex bank said.
Finance Minister Mansur Mukhtar had said two weeks ago that the nation's oil output had averaged 1.6 million bpd so far this year, while the government's production benchmark was 2.292 million bpd.
The government had benchmarked its oil at $45 a barrel for the 2009 budget and the new price of the crude, which fell below $36 per barrel yesterday, is $9 below the budget target.
Due to the upsurge in militancy in the Niger Delta, the major oil-producing firms recently suspended further deployment of expatriate workers.
An official of Shell was last week quoted as confirming that the company had commenced the evacuation of its employees from the Niger Delta after a militant group warned it to quit the region or risk more attacks.
Shell has, however, declared that it has no plans to leave Nigeria but was not prepared to gamble with the safety and well-being of its workers and contractors.
A militant group led by Ateke Tom had accused Shell and other oil firms including Agip, the local subsidiary of Italian oil company, ENI, and the Nigeria Liquefied National Gas (LNG) of helping the Nigerian military to carry out attacks on its camps in Rivers State.

N’Delta: Clark, others react to presidential amnesty for militants

Published 4/5/2009 11:17:00 PM.

Sola Adebayo

The Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, Leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, Alhaji Mujaheeden Asari- Dokubo and the President, Ijaw Youth Council, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, have reacted to presidential amnesty extended the Niger Delta warlords.

The trio discribed the President Umaru Yar‘Adua pronouncement as a welcome development, but noted however that the Federal Government should prepare a gazette to give the order a legal backing.

Yar‘Adua had at a meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja last Thursday announced pardon for the Niger Delta militants willing to embrace peace and drop their arms.

Clark, in a telephone interview with Sunday Punch, said the gesture would restore sanity in the region, adding that it marked the beginning of brighter days in the region.

He urged the militants to take advantage of the gesture and embrace peace.

The Ijaw leader said, ”We welcome the gesture as it will bring sanity back to the region and allay the fears of the youths who thought they would be arrested whenever they come out. But it should be documented and gazetted. That should be done but we are grateful to Mr. President.

”It would bring brighter days in the region and enable everybody to concentrate on how to bring development to the Niger Delta. We do not doubt the sincerity of Mr. President but with a gazette, it becomes a policy of government.

”I appeal to our boys that they should accept the kind gesture of the President and be prepared to integrate with the rest of the people of Nigeria and prepare to participate in the affairs of the country.”

Dokubo, also in a telephone interview, said the action was in line with the demand of the Ijaw youth forum at its last meeting in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.

The President’s gesture, he added, did not come to him as a surprise.

Dokubo, however, asked the parties to be sincere with the implementation of the policy.

He said, ”Both parties must be sincere in its implementation. The Federal Government should not call people out and turn around to arrest them. The criminal youths too should not continue with their criminal activities.

”But the amnesty has nothing to do with our struggle. Our legitimate struggle for the control of our identity and self determination will continue. We are not going to compromise the legitimate struggle for the management of our resources through the Sovereign National Conference.”

Ekiyor said, ”We welcome it because it is in line with our request and desire for social re-integration and demobilisation. But a white paper should be issued and a proper gazette be made on it and the appropriate security agencies be involved.

”More importantly, a programme should be fashioned out by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in collaboration with the IYC for social integration. But in all ramifications, it is a welcome development and a step in the right direction. However, a white paper will make it binding on all parties.”

N’Delta: Clark, others react to presidential amnesty for militants

Sola Adebayo, Published 4/5/2009 11:17:00 PM

The Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, Leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, Alhaji Mujaheeden Asari- Dokubo and the President, Ijaw Youth Council, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, have reacted to presidential amnesty extended the Niger Delta warlords.

The trio discribed the President Umaru Yar‘Adua pronouncement as a welcome development, but noted however that the Federal Government should prepare a gazette to give the order a legal backing.

Yar‘Adua had at a meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja last Thursday announced pardon for the Niger Delta militants willing to embrace peace and drop their arms.

Clark, in a telephone interview with Sunday Punch, said the gesture would restore sanity in the region, adding that it marked the beginning of brighter days in the region.

He urged the militants to take advantage of the gesture and embrace peace.

The Ijaw leader said, ”We welcome the gesture as it will bring sanity back to the region and allay the fears of the youths who thought they would be arrested whenever they come out. But it should be documented and gazetted. That should be done but we are grateful to Mr. President.

”It would bring brighter days in the region and enable everybody to concentrate on how to bring development to the Niger Delta. We do not doubt the sincerity of Mr. President but with a gazette, it becomes a policy of government.

”I appeal to our boys that they should accept the kind gesture of the President and be prepared to integrate with the rest of the people of Nigeria and prepare to participate in the affairs of the country.”

Dokubo, also in a telephone interview, said the action was in line with the demand of the Ijaw youth forum at its last meeting in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.

The President’s gesture, he added, did not come to him as a surprise.

Dokubo, however, asked the parties to be sincere with the implementation of the policy.

He said, ”Both parties must be sincere in its implementation. The Federal Government should not call people out and turn around to arrest them. The criminal youths too should not continue with their criminal activities.

”But the amnesty has nothing to do with our struggle. Our legitimate struggle for the control of our identity and self determination will continue. We are not going to compromise the legitimate struggle for the management of our resources through the Sovereign National Conference.”

Ekiyor said, ”We welcome it because it is in line with our request and desire for social re-integration and demobilisation. But a white paper should be issued and a proper gazette be made on it and the appropriate security agencies be involved.

”More importantly, a programme should be fashioned out by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in collaboration with the IYC for social integration. But in all ramifications, it is a welcome development and a step in the right direction. However, a white paper will make it binding on all parties.”

 

Fresh tension as Ijaw threaten showdown with JTF

From Shola O’Neil, Warri

31/3/2009

There was fresh tension in the Niger Delta yesterday after Ijaw leaders vowed to attack oil installations and foreigners in retaliation for further assault on their communities by the Joint Task Force (JTF).

The decision was taken at a meeting by prominent Ijaw youths and group leaders held in the creeks of Delta State on Sunday night.

Also, the Warri Ijaw Peace Monitoring Group (WIPMG), alleged plans by the Federal Government to unleash the JTF on their kinsmen in a military move to resolve the region’s problem.

The face-off between the JTF and groups in the Delta/Bayelsa states axis is threatening the fragile peace being enjoyed in recent months.

The JTF on Sunday warned that it "has what it takes to locate trouble makers and criminals wherever they may hide."

But the WIPMG yesterday warned President Umaru Yar’Adua that the military option adopted in addressing the problems of the region would be counter-productive.

WIPMG said it uncovered plans by the Federal Government to use the task Force to "wipe out the people of the Niger Delta."

Chief Patrick Bigha, WIPMG’s Chairman, in a communiqué issued after a meeting of leaders of the ethnic group, hinted that oil installations and other government’s interests would be attacked in reprisal for any further attack on Ijaw communities.

He said, "We wish to inform all expatriates and multinational oil companies that the Niger Delta is not safe for them as any move by the Federal Government and its military to attack our communities will be visited on their business interests in the creeks of the Niger Delta. Enough is Enough!"

The group said it had uncovered alleged plans to annihilate prominent leaders as part of the military option recently adopted by the JTF.

But the WIPMG said, "The military option the administration has opted for is counter productive as it will end up in genocide; killing the goose that lays the golden egg

"We wish to state that the President Yar’Adua administration has failed the people of the Niger Delta as it not been able to find pragmatic solutions to the crisis in the region.

"A Northern agenda to wipe out the people of the Niger Delta because of her God-given resources has been uncovered, and let it be known that we are going to resist it with the last drop of our blood," Chief Patrick Bigha, WIPMG Chairman, who signed the document stressed.

Besides, the group criticised the Federal Government over the ongoing image laundering initiative tagged Nigeria re-branding, noting that the nation’s image can only be laundered through a peaceful resolution of the region’s crisis.

"There is no way Nigeria could be re-branded without equity, justice, fair play and peace in the Niger Delta. Therefore we call on the International Community to ignore the re-branding campaign," it added.

 

Guerilla warfare imminent in the Niger Delta

•As militants regroup into organised militia
From CHRIS AGUNWEZE, Bonny Island
Tuesday, March 31, 2009

The Niger Delta militants are rapidly regrouping and may soon form the kind of formidable force that has never been known since the beginning of militancy in the Oil rich region.

Various militant groups, cult groups and other black listed by the authorities have found their way deep into the creeks where they are merging into a deadly militia against the government. A dreaded guerilla warfare is gradually building up in the Delta region.
Onenge Erekosima, director, Niger Delta Non-Violence Movement an N.G.O. for peace in the Niger Delta gave the hint in an exclusive interview with Daily Sun.

He expressed fears that he has never seen such “a huge merger of militants as you have now in the creeks. They have acquired all manners of sophisticated weapons and are training vigorously. They are well formidable to match any organized army in combat. If the government does not act quick to quell the situation now it will surely degenerate into a guerilla warfare. The only remedy is to grant the militants amnesty and absorb them into the society to begin a normal life.” Excerpts

The big problem
“The problem we used to have was that people were misinformed so it now turned into a war. The war was basically for recognition by some of them and their groups so that they would be recognized by the government. That was what we discovered so we have gone down to make sure that we reconcile all the warring groups and we have reconciled all of them.

“We are now saying that the government must look for a way to plant the peace that is already on ground. Because after now it will go out of hand again. People are trying to set up young men against themselves that is another problem we are seeing now .

A Bush boy called Sony Opuanbe was killed last month and they are pointing fingers at Ateke Tom. I have met wiith Ateke Tom and he said that it does not concern him. It was not coming from there. I think some people are trying to cause confusion and bring up these stories of the past that made people to fight themselves.

This is not a war against Nigeria . People are just using it to make some benefit for themselves.
“So we are saying that we have gone to the root to solve the problem and Nigeria needs to be sincere now. We are saying that our people are not fighting againgt Nigeria . Instead we are asking for amnesty for our people . Nigeria think they have to punish people that cause trouble one way or the other, we are saying no that is not the best way forward. That amnesty should be granted to every body so that everybody can come back and we start again.

We are saying that Nigeria is not sincere about peace in the Niger Delta. Nigeria does not want peace in the Niger Delta. May be because they think that if we have peace we will begin to know about certain things about our rights. But it is better for peace to reign in the region so that Nigeria itself can benefit from it. Nigerian leaders should know that they will come out of power some day. They should build this peace we are all asking for so that we can have a good society that next generations will not suffer what we have suffered. That is what we are saying.”

Warring groups
“There are a lot of warring groups. A lot of them fighting against each other. Soboma George and Ateke Tom were in biter war but now we have reconciled them all. We did all the reconciliations.
There are a lot of cult groups right now. But there are no cult groups fighting one another. It is only the government that is fighting the boys. It is only the government that i don’t know what they are fighting for. Because they are killing their own children and I am saying that the government is doing it because these things are now political.”

Ateke Tom, Soboma George no more enemies
“By the grace of God there is no nothing on the face of this earth that can make them fight again. Because we reconciled them. For the first hour they saw themselves after severed years, they were just looking at each other laughing. I took Soboma George to Ateke Tom on July 7, 2008 last year that was when God worked out the miracle.

Ateke Tom was calling all his people and it was a celebration that can never be forgotten.
“They discovered that what they were fighting for was just caused by rumors. People would just come and say Obasanjo gave Ateke money he did not give to his boys. So, a lot of misunderstandings cropped up. Politicians and other interest groups cashed on the situation to set them up, making them to engage to war that brought insecurity to the region. Now they know that they have no reasons to fight against themselves so there is no reason on earth that will make them fight again.

I am saying it boldly because I know that the reconciliation was done by God. Ateke Tom and Soboma George have not seen themselves eye to eye for over six years and they saw themselves for the first time on that July 7, 2008, and I want to tell you it was wonderful.
“It was in the after noon and Ateke was like saying, this thing no man could settle and they said it was because of money, is there any money now, is there any money in this settlement?” It was so emotional. There was nothing like oath-taking, nobody was killed, nobody was seized, the peace that brought Ateke, Sobona and Fara together and ended the biter crisis now came so natural. Ending the unnecessary shootings.”

No more rival cult groups now
“In Rivers State by the Grace of God, right now no body is looking for any body to kill as a cult group.”

Leader of the bush boys
“The leader of the bush boys the story is mixed up, people are suspecting Ateke.
Ateke has no reason do it. I have talked to everybody that was mentioned and I discovered that between themselves they were saying that the leader was not carrying them along so it was discovered from our findings that the killer is within.

So we are saying that things should not go beyond this level because if it comes to a situation where these boys have to fight themselves it will go out of hand.
The killing is within themselves and the second person that was killed in Okirika was not a revenge killing, he was even the second in command to Sony Opuanbe and almost the same kind of killing. So some people are trying to set up problems that is the issue. It was not done by a particular group it was just a set up to cause problems. You know people are benefiting from the crisis. So they will do any thing to see that these things continue.

Involment of the authorities
“Yes it could be possible. I want to tell you that people keep asking, what did Ateke Tom do that he can not be forgiven? What did Soboma do that he cannot be forgiven? What did Fara do that he cannot be forgiven? What if they are the only option to put an end to the crisis? All the people agreed that they will come out if they are forgiven genuinely and that they will lay down their arms. But you are saying no that you cannot forgive them. So the government can do anything, those who are benefiting from the crisis can do anything so that the crisis does not stop.”

In the past, which of these groups did you belong?
“In past, I was Asari Dokubo’s spokesman before Asari went to prison. Before he went to prison I was his video man. I never belonged to any group but I admired Asari because at the time I saw a man who stood and said no, this is wrong. So I was doing video for him, I was his video man, he calls me video commander. I covered all of their programmes so I don’t belong to any group. So I said I have seen a man who can challenge what is wrong so I voluntarily did video coverage for him. I don’t belong to any group.”

Asari’s stand
“What I am doing now he can do 10 times better than I am doing. So I cannot predict what he is doing now and what stand he has taken. What I am doing it would have been much easier for Asari to do but he is not doing it. Right now I cannot predict what he stands for. I was saying people need to come and ask look Asari what is the way forward? Which way are you looking at now? He has not told us anything but for now I don’t know if he wants to be neutral. I cannot define where he stands.

Our sponsors
“Nobody but God, the only human being who tried to help us was the former governor of Lagos State . He has said to us look the crisis in Niger Delta is benefiting Lagos but it must not be so we need peace for us to grow together .

“Another person who ever helped us was the former police commissioner he gave us N50,000. We have marked one year anniversary nobody has helped us.
The government has not shown any interest in what we are doing. No governor in the Niger Delta has shown any interest in what we are doing.

“It was serious when we started reconciling Ateke Tom with Soboma Geprge. The government said if Ateke Tom has repented he should go and give his guns to the Chiefs and I said that is not how it should be. I met the Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, and I said to him please let us forgive these people and move ahead. He said to me if it were your people that they killed will you tell me to forgive? I will never forgive. Elders have come to me, I did not forgive, chiefs came to me even the Senate President came I did not forgive is it you I will listen to? That was what the governor told me. So to whom shall we go to? We are looking up to God and we know that God shall bring it to pass at His own time. Nobody is supporting us, nobody.”

Boys are regrouping
“The situation to me right now is becoming very dangerous because I try to imagine how they feed in the creeks and it is difficult for me to get an answer. But all the boys who felt that the government is after them are running to the creeks. So we have more boys in the creeks now than ever.
“The day they will come out because they are hungry, it will be difficult for anybody to stop them. That is why we are begging and asking the world to look into it. The boys are more than regrouping. Right now, they are not seeing themselves as enemies, they have not seen any reason why they should fight themselves. Very soon the government is going to give them reasons to fight and at that time it will be difficult.
“The government is building on sinking sands. The government should build fast on solid ground. The solid ground is the peace foundation we have laid. If this peace initiative is not followed up immediately, the volume of problem that will occur, we will regret the kind of generation we have built.

Because you are making people get so addicted to creek life. Get so addicted to live in the kind of place normal human beings shouldn’t stay. It would be terrible when they will fight back. It will be very terrible.
“The solution is this forgiveness we are talking about. If the government truly forgives, then we can safe the situation. This is the solution, forgiveness, for us to allow God to be the judge. Until the people and government are involved in this thing we are not going anywhere. But the government does not want to be involved in it.

The government does not want to listen to us. If they listen to us, we bring them back and they become parts of the society and begin to live. There will be nobody to give guns again to rig elections. So the prefer to keep them in the creeks. Besides officials of government benefit immensely from large security votes during crisis so they don’t want it to stop

“The best option for government is to take the position of the prodigal son’s father. Get these boys out of the creeks, love them and let them change. That is the only way.
But if you say you want to kill them you cannot kill all of them, you are inviting guerilla warfare.
“The boys have all the weapons Nigerian Army can’t boast of. All the trainings, all the uniforms. Everything they have it in their asernal. If you invite a guerilla warfare you will destroy all of us. The Bible says for lack of knowledge my people perish. So it is time for us to put in some knowledge and not by weapons of mass destruction.”

 

The Halliburton bribe takers

By Dapo Olorunyomi and Mojeed Musiliku

March 29, 2009 07:48PMT.


Our so-called leaders are nothing but common bribe takers, according to US investigators who have got to the bottom of the Halliburton scandal.

The fingered personalities include three former presidents;Obasanjo , Abacha,and Abubakar- as well as a who's who of Nigeria's political and business elite.

At least three of our former presidents, Sani Abacha, Abdusalami Abubakar, and Olusegun Obasanjo, received millions of dollars in bribes from American and European contractors retained to build Africa's first liquefied natural gas plant in Bonny, Rivers State, according to US law enforcement officials.

Also enmeshed in the vast and formalized bribery scheme is a long line of ministers, bureaucrats, top politicians, state and local officials and former oil minister Dan Etete, according to American investigators.

This cast of characters, charged with running the affairs of 150 million people in the heart of Africa,received stacks of US dollar bills in briefcases and sometimes in bullion vans.

In other cases they received their payoffs via electronic bank transfers involving such financial institutions as Citibank.

In all, these eminent Nigerians accepted at least N27 billion in bribes from the oil services companies in exchange for billions of dollars in contracts to build our liquefied natural gas plant, US investigators say.

American authorities are now pursuing their own citizens and corporations, notably the oil services company Halliburton, in connection with the scandal.

Halliburton has agreed to pay $579 million in fines and many of its agents face long jail terms.

Our law enforcement authorities, notably Attorney General Michael Aandoaka, have lately been making noises but have in reality done little to pursue those indicted in this scandal, which reveals us as a nation that fully justifies its reputation as one of the world's leading cesspits for corruption and unrestrained graft.

How it all started

The origin of the Nigerian Liquified scandal can be traced back to 1994, when bids were submitted to build Africa's first liquefied natural gas plant in Bonny, Rivers State, at a cost of $6 billion.

A joint venture company, TSKJ, formed in equal partnership between a French engineering company, Technip; an Italian engineering company, Snamprogetti; a US engineering company, KBR,of the Halliburton group; and the Japanese engineering and construction company, JGC, amplified corruption in Nigeria to unprecedented levels.

Soon after TSKJ was formed, it set up three companies registered in Madeira, Portugal to recruit two "consulting companies," Tri-Star Investment Ltd, and Marubeni Inc, with the mandate to bribe Nigerian "officials of the executive branch of government, NNPC and NLNG officials, and political party leaders," according to a sealed indictment filed at the United States District Court in Houston, Texas.

Three early decisions taken by TSKJ were: hiring a British lawyer, Jeffery Tesler, to coordinate the affairs of TriStar; signing up Wojciech Chodan, an American deal maker resident in the UK to assist him and contracting Messrs Matsuda, Endo, and Lida to run Marubeni.

According to the court deposition of Mr.Tesler, in a clinical application of the principles of division of labour,TSKJ mandated the Tri-Star team, which it disingenuously called "cultural advisors," to focus only on bribing the "senior level officials", while the Marubeni team was instructed to restrict itself to bribing the "lower level Nigerian officials."

Thus while Tristar was incorporated in Gibraltar and had a budget of $130 million; Marubeni, incorporated in Japan, had a budget of $50 million.

Our investigations in the United States, France, the UK and in Nigeria spanned a three week period and were based on court indictments, depositions and interviews.

Bribery in a customary manner

Sani Abacha, Nigeria's late Head of State, was the first significant point of contact for the TSKJ team, according to lawyers of the United States department of justice, who claimed in court depositions that, in August 1994, the CEO of KBR, Albert Jackson Stanley, and top executives of TSKJ struck an agreement with Abacha "to do business in a customary manner."

Towards this end, a "cultural committee" of the sales and senior personnel officers of the four joint venture companies, as well as agents of Marubeni was put together to "consider how to implement, but hide, the scheme to pay bribes" to Nigerian officials.

The "cultural committee" in October 1994 worked out a programme of what it called "the downloading and offloading of payments through subcontractors and vendors."

According to the U. S. Department of Justice, once a plan of how to distribute the bribes and a scheme to evade US bank monitors were resolved, the "cultural committee" gave Mr. Tesler the green light to meet the then petroleum minister, Dan Etete, to discuss and agree on the modalities.

This meeting held on November 02 1994, when Mr. Tesler handed Mr. Etete the bribe schema to secure Train 1 and Train 2 of the Liquified Natural Gas(LNG) contract.

It was made clear that $60 million was available to be shared. Out of this, $40 million would go to Mr. Abacha, while others would have to scramble for the remaining $20million.

A cultural committee to manage the graft

Keeping faith with the grand plan of the cultural committee, Mr. Stanley, the CEO of KBR, who was handpicked for this job by former U.S.Vice President Dick Cheney, rushed to Abuja three weeks after the November 2 meeting , to confirm if Mr. Abacha was comfortable with Tesler as a go-between.

Once this was understood on both sides, a series of decisions was made ahead of the signing of the Train 1 and Train 2 contracts.

In January 1995, Chodan and Stanley agreed to exclude any US citizens from participating in the bribe scheme. In March of the same year, TSKJ formally signed the $60 million contract with TriStar.

Furthermore, in December, TSKJ paid TriStar $1.5 million as commission for its "services," and in April 1996, TSKJ formally signed a $29 million contract with Marubeni to settle the "lower level Nigerian officials."

According to filings in the Houston District court, by the time the Train 1 and Train 2 contracts had been signed, Mr.Tesler himself wired $63,000 into a Swiss account of Mr.Etete.

French police prosecutors have determined that around the same time, in order to cover up his tracks, he also opened negotiations with Etete to purchase five per cent of the then minister's holding in the OPL 245 Malibu oil block.

For this deal, Mr.Tesler wired a total of $2.5 million into the accounts of the former minister through the TriStar accounts.

Mr. Etete used three different names, according to the deposition, his personal name or Buzaki Etete, or one Omoni Amafegha, who Mr.Tesler told the French Court was a listed name on the board of Malibu.

Dele Adesina, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Mr. Etete's lawyer in respect of the Malabu oil block licence which the Obasanjo administration revoked in 1999, would not comment on this matter when asked.

He said: "I was only retained with respect of the revocation of the Malabu block; I have absolutely no knowledge of Mr.Tesler."

Mr.Tesler's brief was to make sure things moved smoothly. A key challenge at this point was unfettered access to Mr.Abacha at that time, and as he told French investigators, the man who made this possible was the former Inspector General of Police, M. D. Yusuf, who later became Chairman of the NLNG.

Mr.Tesler claimed he "downloaded $75,000 in two installments" into Mr.Yusuf's pocket for this purpose. Information on the former policeman's involvement in the TSKJ scandal, is not new.

In 2004, when a House of Representatives Committee headed by Chudi Offodile investigated the NLNG contract, it found out that Mr. Yusuf as NLNG chairman acted improperly in favour of TSKJ.

Petroleum minister at the time,Don Etiebet, had sought to ensure fair play in the contract bid between TSKJ, and the only other competitor, BCSA.

It "appeared that a decision had been taken even before the Board meeting of 24th Sept. 1994" that determined the contract, the Offodile report stated.

What happened after Trains 1 and 2

Having put the Train 1 and 2 contracts in the can, TSKJ turned its gaze on the Train 3 contract. For this, Stanley flew to Abuja again in the second quarter of 1997, with the sole mission of asking Mr.Abacha to recommend a trusted front man to collect his bribe.

Shortly after he died on June 8, 1998, Mr.Tesler promptly erased him from the list of bribe beneficiaries, substituting him with the new helmsman, Abdulsalami Abubakar.

To keep the entire scheme on the rails, Stanley flew back to Abuja on February 28 1999, asking Mr. Abubakar, to recommend a trusted front man to collect his bribe.

Anxiety about the election

With an election already fixed for May 1999, TSKJ was anxious to wrap up the Train 3 contract before a change of power in Abuja.

Another meeting was held in London on March 05 1999, to come up with a strategy to achieve this objective.

One week after, TSKJ won the Train 3 contract for $1.2 billion. On March 18, 1999, TSKJ paid a kickback of $32.5 million into TriStar's account, to bribe the Nigerian officials who facilitated the award of the contract.

Even though the lower class officials were eventually catered for in the bribe scheme, they always got the short end of the stick.

Thus, while the senior Nigerian officials had their bribes promptly paid, it took one year after TSKJ had signed the Train 3 contract before Marubeni lined the pockets of the lower class officials.

Computing the pay-offs up to January 2001, American prosecutors believe that a $2.5 million bribe was "off loaded" directly to the Swiss account of Mr. Abubakar's frontman.

For four days last week, NEXT sought unsuccessfully, through his media consultant, to reach the former Head of State, sending him details of the court indictments but he declined to comment.

After the transition to civil rule in 1999, the United States Department of Justice attorneys stated that Mr.Stanley met with the new President, Olusegun Obasanjo and the then Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Gauis Obaseki, in Abuja on November 11, 2001, to designate "a representative with whom the joint venture [TSKJ] should negotiate the [obligatory] bribes in support of the award of the [forthcoming] Trains 4 and 5 contracts."

One month later, on December 20 in London, Mr. Obaseki met Mr. Chodan and Mr.Stanley over lunch, to discuss the details of the Trains 4 and 5 contracts.

On Christmas Eve, TSKJ signed a $51 million deal with TriStar, to bribe Nigerian officials for the Trains 4 and 5 contracts.

Three months later, in March 2002, TSKJ won the Train 4 and 5 contract for $3.6 billion. Mr. Obaseki declined to respond to these charges when NEXT spoke to him on the phone.

He appeared to be more disturbed about how we got his phone numbers. "I am sorry I have no response to give" he said.

Mr. Obaseki's email address and phone numbers are all listed on his own personal website. We also could not reach former president Obasanjo, for his comment on the bribe claims by Mr.Tesler.

Taking care of the political big boys

Following the signing of contracts for Trains 4 and 5, all seemed to be going well between the new administration and TSKJ.

June 2002 would turn out to be a significant month in this narrative of sleaze between TSKJ and Nigerian government officials.

That month, TSKJ signed another $25 million contract with Marubeni to settle the bribes of the low cadre officials for the Trains 4 and 5 of the NLNG project.

It also signed a $23 million contract with TriStar to bribe the top officials for the Train 6 project.

However, Mr.Obaseki's meeting with Mr.Tesler in London represented an important turning point in the scandal.

The former NNPC's GMD's message to the meeting, according to Mr. Tesler's indictment papers, was that the time had come to bring in the political boys.

Apparently the Peoples Democratic Party gods needed to be appeased.

Indictment records from both the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the United States attorneys showed that in August 2002, Mr. Tesler wired $5 million to the account of a Port Harcourt based sub-contractor named Intels Energy Limited.

The money was received in the company's account with Citibank Nigeria.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the late Shehu Musa Yar Adua are alleged to have substantial interests in Intels Energy Limited.

NEXT made repeated but unsuccessful attempts to speak to Intels officials on the phone.

A letter delivered to their Ikoyi, Lagos office asking for their response to this allegation is still unanswered .

A Mr. Joseph who was in the office said , "How did you people even get this information, " adding that the letter must be forwarded to Intels Port Harocurt office.

Intels, according to our investigations, was the key sub contractor for Marubeni in bribing the lower level officials of the NNPC and NLNG.

Bullion van bribery

Both the Department of Justice and the Security and Exchange Commission's attorneys, corroborated each other's claim that $1million in $100 bills was deposited "to the NNPC official" at the NICON Hilton Hotel in a "pilot's briefcase" for onward delivery to the PDP before the 2003 general elections.

The remaining $4 million was, according to the court filings, delivered in naira in a bul-lion van.

Audu Ogbe who was the PDP chairman at the time denied any knowledge of this and loudly called for an investigation.

A spokesman for Vincent Ogbulafor, the current chairman, said in Abuja last week that Ogboluafor also discounted this claim.

Phenomenal greed and sleaze

The planning, the scale and the sophistication of TSKJ's web of corruption and its capacity to ensnare three successive heads of state, coupled with the elaborate scheme to set up corrupting agencies for lower and senior officials, stands out in the annals of official corruption in Nigeria.

The ruling class was identified and broken down into its constituent parts: political, bureaucratic, and technocratic so as to isolate the beneficiaries of the graft.

TSKJ came fully prepared and well primed to sustaining this code named scheme over the decade it would take to come to fruition.

The multijurisdictional impact of the corruption is still unprecedented in Nigeria.

Keeping mute

Attorneys for TSKJ, KBR, and Halliburton in Nigeria, Templars Law Offices on Victoria Island, Lagos declined to answer questions about the conduct of their clients, saying "we cannot make any comment on TSKJ because they are no longer our clients."

Yet, Templars maintains a relationship with both TSKJ and Halliburton on its website.

It indeed claims to maintain a "recent relationship, " regarding multi-jurisdictiona l investigations in Nigeria, Switzerland, France, and the UK.

An office spokesperson declined to comment on when Templars severed its relationships with TSKJ and Halliburton.

But he was emphatic that the principal partner, Oghogho Akpata, who is the office lead on the TSKJ/KBR/Halliburto n brief, would not be available for comments.

Investigating KBR

KBR or its principal officers are facing investigation and prosecution in at least five countries today.

Officers from Britain's Serious Fraud Office(SFO), arrested Mr. Tesler, now 60, at his offices in Tottenham, London, on March 05.

He is to be extradited to the USA to face further questioning by the Department of Justice.

Also arrested with Mr.Tesler was Mr.Chodan, 71, who as an agent for Halliburton, wrote detailed diaries, describing meetings with the bribe consortium and representatives of the international oil companies.

>From the United Kingdom, Britain's Serious Fraud Office confirmed that there is an on-going investigation into the allegations of bribery and corruption against British businesses in Nigeria.

Since 2004, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has been investigating the conduct of Halliburton/ KBR.

The investigation is ongoing, according to sources in Abuja.

Recently, the Swiss Justice department followed the steps of the Police Judiciare of France, which in 2003, started an investigation which revealed fraudulent Halliburton payments to Jeffery Tesler.

In their home country, the United States, KBR and Halliburton admitted last month to violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, by engaging in a decade-long bribing scheme to secure contracts in Nigeria.

The companies also agreed to pay a combined fine of $579 million to settle criminal and civil charges brought by both the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) for violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

The indictment of Mr.Tesler and Mr.Chodan, in all likelihood, will also open a floodgate of other suits.

This month the president gave full backing to the Attorney General, Michael Aondoakaa, to again investigate Halliburton for tarnishing the image of the country by bribing its officials.

Mr. Aaondoaka has assembled a team of local lawyers and briefed American-based financial crimes experts, to institute a suit against KBR and Halliburton for soiling the name of the country through the bribery schemes.

Also last Tuesday, the Nigerian Senate called on the Federal Government to identify the Nigerians involved and proceed to prosecute them.

Smart Adeyemi,one of the eight senators who sponsored the Bill said "the matter is so huge it can erase the prestige of the Senate and indeed of the Nigerian government to be legitimate, if this is swept under the carpet."

The chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-corruption, Sabo Nakudu, also takes the position that the allegations deserve "serious investigation" , although he was worried that "we haven't got any petition in that regard and no report has been sent to us.

We just read about the thing in the newspapers. Unless we are able to come across some documentation to look at that kind of issue, there is nothing we can do.

We are just reading all these information in the newspapers like anybody else."

In the 2003-2007 House of Representatives, when Chudi Offodile, as chairman of the House committee on pubic petitions, investigated the Halliburton scandal, he said he repeatedly ran into a brick wall.

The Offodile committee, however, recommended that all companies in the TSKJ consortium, as well as Halliburton be excluded from future contracts in the country.

The House sitting of September 2004, approved the committee's recommendations.

In his response to the current phase of the scandal, Mr.Offodile, in a pained response, lamented how the NNPC and the Federal Government subverted all the best intensions of the legislature.

In spite of the legislators recommendations, NNPC went ahead to give KBR the contract to build the "topsides of the FPSO for Agbami Deep offshore field, owned by NNPC, ChevronTexaco Petrobras and Statoil... [and that the] same KBR formed a Joint Venture with Snamprogetti, and JGC, all three Companies were members of the notorious TSKJ consortium and still won a $1.7Billion EPC contract to build the Escravos Gas to Liquids Project, owned by the NNPC and Chevron-Texaco, '' said Mr. Offodile.

He recounted a meeting in June 2005 when he accompanied then House Speaker Aminu Bello and Deputy Speaker Austin Opara, to brief President Obasanjo on the true situation of the Halliburton/ KBR.

"We were all seated at the President's conference room, the Halliburton team led by Mr. Andy Lane, the Chief Operating Officer, the NNPC team, led by the Group managing Director, Funsho Kupolokun , " a few minutes later, one of the presidency staff walked up to the Deputy Speaker and informed him that I would not be part of the meeting."

Offodile said adding that he was thrown out of the meeting. He described the situation as frustrating and painful because "once again, the Halliburton enforcers had their way."

It appears that Mr. Aoandoaka, who reportedly travelled to London and Washington last week also has an eye on the civil forfeiture processes for some of the monies and investments derived from the bribes.

Officials at the Serious Fraud Office in London declined comments on Mr. Aoandoaka's statement, saying investigations are still going on.

NEXT can however authoritatively confirm, that no mutual legal assistant requests have yet been filed from the Attorney General's office to give substance to his stated desire.

Sources working in UK and US law enforcement agencies told NEXT the attorney general's request for support on the Wilbros case has not been honoured due to a perception of official stalling and stonewalling on the part of Nigerian anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies.

Local attorney's reviewing Aoandoaka's strategy say it is self serving and funny.

"It is empty braggadocio couched in legal phraseology, " says Jiti Ogunye, a lawyer on Aoandoaka's strategy.

"When you say you are going to sue a company for damaging the image of a country, you are speaking in the realm of libel. A country is a subject in international law, I'm not aware of a situation in which a country as an entity sues an individual or another country for libel. I think his statement should just be dismissed."

But Carol Ajie, another lawyer thinks that Aondoaka's pursuit of Haliburton might be "in order to compel Haliburton to disclose the names of bribe takers since the giver and taker of bribes are both guilty."

 

--
ERA/ Friends of the Earth, Nigeria,
14 Uselu-Lagos Road, P. O. Box 10577, Ugbowo, Benin City, Nigeria, Tel/Fax: +234-52-880619. Cell: +234 803 727 4395 .
website: www.eraction. org
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT ...

 

Bankole, others attend London memorial service for Alaibe's wife

From Tunde Oyedoyin, London
HOUSE of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, yesterday led a delegation of some federal legislators to attend a memorial service organised by the Ijaw Peoples Association (IJA) of Britain in honour of Mrs. Augustina Alaere Timi Alaibe, the late wife of the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaibe.

At the service, held at the Redemeed Christian Church of God, Jesus House Parish, in Brent Cross, North West London in the afternoon, sympathisers and well-wishers numbering over 100 rallied round Alaibe and the five children left by the deceased, who was described as a "rarest of gems," in a moving eulogy by her bossom friend, Princess Solarin. "She -Mrs. Alaibe - died in my hands," Solarin had earlier told The Guardian before the service began.

Two of the Alaibe children, Ebitimi and Ebiye, read the two Bible passages at the church.

In a sermon, Pastor Wale Adebajo urged the husband and children to "give thanks to God," because He alone knows why he had to take her away despite "our prayers and wailings."

Speaking for the first time at his Maida Vale house in West London, Mr. Alaibe told The Guardian that the service was very uplifting and had given him a new perspective.

He said: "The service changed everything. I wasn't myself since Saturday."

He added that his wife's body would be transported to Nigeria "once the documentation process is finished."

IYC Re-packages Kaiama Declaration

Ahead of its planned youth summit in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa state on Friday, February 6, 2009, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has stated that though the famous 1998 Kaiama Declaration may not have achieved all that Ijaw people desired, it is going to re-strategize towards greater objectives. Already, it has concluded arrangements for the youth summit with key players in the Declaration to play significant roles.

The 1998 Kaiama Declaration by IYC presented a platform for collective aggressive demand for resource control within the Niger Delta and self determination by the people of the region in the Nigerian state. Expected at the summit are past and present executive members of the IYC in the nine states of the Niger Delta, including its first president, Dr. Felix Tuodolor, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, former vice president and Special Adviser to the Bayelsa Governor, Mr. Famous Daunemugha, and the former chairman of IYC's Conflict Resolution Committee and now Director-General of e- Governance and Due Process Bureau, Mr. Dimieari Von-Kemedi.

Briefing journalists in Yenagoa yesterday on the essence of the youth summit, President of the IYC, Dr. Chris Ekiyor explained that it was designed to re-strategize and re-focus the youths on the struggle for economic and political emancipation of the region. Ekiyor criticized the Federal Government for lacking the commitment and political will to proffer lasting solution to the lingering crises in the Niger Delta region, arguing that efforts and approaches by previous governments had ended in colossal failure.

Ekiyor stated that the failure of the successive administrations in addressing the problems confronting the oil and gas rich, but impoverished region necessitated the proposed youth summit scheduled to begin from Thursday this week. He expressed dismay why it has taken the apex government so long to address and find lasting solution to the myriad of problems plaguing the area, just as he lamented that the genuine struggle had been hijacked and turned into money-making ventures by miscreants. The IYC president expressed regret that many people both within and outside the region capitalize on it to make brisk quick money, while the people are allowed to continually wallow in abject poverty.

According to him "Our communities have been desecrated, our tradition undermined, and our environment despoiled. It is painful that the youths are the canon feeders in this greedy quagmire." Ekiyor said the apex Ijaw youth body would use the summit to reaffirm its readiness to engage in dialogue amongst youths of the region and propose ways of resolving issues of kidnapping and other criminal vices prevailing in the region. Ekiyor said the body would adopt a bottom - top approach in the dialogue process and that it would involve all youths of Ijaw origin. He said the youths of the region must be engaged in continuous education on issues of peace building, economic growth and response to security situations in the region.

"The Ijaws can not allow other people to continue to decide their destiny for them. We are once more taking our destiny into our hands peacefully. We will not relent on this mission until we get to our target", he said. The IYC president noted with sadness that, ten years after the Kaiama Declaration, the failures of the Federal Government had further impacted negatively on the survival of the region. "The youths are participants, owners and drivers of any crisis management, peace and conflict resolution, security and development. It has become necessary when most crises in the region are either youth-driven or related to political leadership in the Niger Delta.

"The summit will deliberate on issues concerning the destiny of the Niger Delta with focus on Bayelsa State and all Ijaw communities in the region". Responding to a question during the interactive session that followed, Tuodolor, Daunemugha, former President, JonJon Oyinfie and Mr. Weri Digifa agreed that the Federal Government's setting up of the Presidential Technical Committee on the Niger Delta was laudable. But they expressed doubt over what the out come of its recommendations would be since there was no "wide participation" .

Igoniko Oduma, Yenagoa

 

ANALYSIS-Crime not politics drives Nigeria oil delta unrest

21 Jan 2009 12:29:30 GMT
Source:Reuters
By Nick Tattersall
LAGOS, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Kidnapping oil workers and blowing up pipelines may have focused attention on Nigeria's oil delta, but three years of militant attacks have locked the region into a spiral of crime which is hindering much-needed development.
Fragile communities already surrounded by oil pollution and desperately short of roads, clean water and electricity have been turned into military zones. Foreign firms have pulled out expatriates who had been helping build new infrastructure.
When the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) burst onto the scene in early 2006, knocking out close to a quarter of Nigeria's oil output in a matter of weeks, it said it was fighting for greater local control of oil resources.
It was a spectacular debut for a nebulous organisation whose leaders and structures were largely unknown.
Nigeria's crude oil output, then around 2.4 million barrels per day (bpd), has still not recovered, languishing below 2 million bpd. More than 200 foreigners have been kidnapped since its first attacks, most of them later released unharmed.
"Since the establishment of MEND in 2006, the government and oil companies have had sleepless nights," the group said in an e-mail to Reuters, when asked what it saw as its achievements.
"We have been able to maintain the focus of the problems in the region to a world that would prefer to sweep those issues under the carpet," it said.
While oil prices were rising into uncharted territory, an e-mail from MEND's Yahoo account was enough to send nervous international markets ticking higher. The kidnapping of Americans, Britons and other foreigners made headlines.
But it no longer commands world attention as it once did.
Its political struggle spawned a wave of copy-cat attacks from which it has been unable to dissociate itself, leaving all but its boldest strikes virtually indistinguishable from the common criminality of oil thieves, pirates and ransom-seekers.
DISCREDITING THE CAUSE
The delta's vast network of mangrove swamps, one of the largest wetlands in the world, has been producing oil for half a century, yielding billions of dollars in profit for the government and foreign oil firms but leaving locals in squalor.
Roads are few and far between, and there is no clean water or mains electricity in many communities.
Activists have long campaigned against the pollution caused by oil spills and gas flaring, forcing oil companies and the government to step up efforts to limit environmental degradation. But the militant tactics have won less sympathy.
"The introduction of MEND took the struggle to a more international dimension," said Jonjon Oyeinfie, former leader of ethnic rights group the Ijaw Youth Council, who sits on a negotiating team representing delta activists and militants.
"But at the same time, because of their actions taking hostages as human shields, it took another negative aspect to the struggle ... and to an extent has discredited it," he said.
MEND is still holding two Britons kidnapped more than four months ago, making them among the longest-held hostages since it began its campaign, and has repeatedly threatened to end a ceasefire it declared in September.
Its attack last June on Royal Dutch Shell's <RDSa.L> Bonga oilfield, more than 60 miles offshore, showed that deepwater facilities long considered safe were also at risk.
Yet all but the most crippling unrest is now factored in to global oil prices, and news of another kidnapping has negotiators thinking more about "settling the boys" -- local parlance for ransom payments -- than political demands.
"The political issues have been calmed, but what you see more of is people taking advantage to commit criminal activities which focus around the kidnapping of expatriate staff for ransom," said Wale Tinubu, head of Nigerian energy firm Oando.
"It has become a criminal activity, a business, and not one with an ideology," he said.
MILITARISATION
Successive Nigerian governments -- military and civilian -- have failed to subdue the delta. Sceptics say some in the political elite see it as in their interests to keep the region poor and insecure so they can better control the oil.
President Umaru Yar'Adua promised a two-pronged approach after taking office in May 2007, pledging development for the region but also promising to stamp out criminals involved in "bunkering" -- the local term for oil theft -- and kidnapping.
He created a post of Niger Delta Minister and named Ufot Ekaette, who is from the delta state of Akwa Ibom, to head it.
"We do not want to stay in Abuja to formulate policies that would not be acceptable to the majority of the people," Ekaette told reporters during his first trip as minister to the region.
But the militants say they want action not words after endless committees and promises have come to nothing.
Jonjon Oyeinfie said a first step would be the release of MEND leader Henry Okah, on trial for treason and gun-running, and a guarantee of amnesty for other prominent militants.
Until concrete moves are made, the delta is likely to remain prey to piracy and kidnappings, often targeting the very people -- like construction workers and engineers -- who are actively developing the region.
"The fact nothing has changed shows we have reason to remain on the scene until our goals are achieved," MEND's e-mail said. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://af.reuters.com/ ) (Editing by Tim Pearce)

More Military deployment in the Niger Delta

Written by Kingsley Omonobi
Saturday, 17 January 2009
More Naval deployments: 4 Mantra, 7 Seaward defence boats, 2 Augusta Helicopters sent to N-Delta; a new FOCs are appointed for the commands
The Nigerian Navy confirmed yesterday that it was making more deployments to the Niger Delta area in its bid to consolidate on the gains to curtailing to a large extent, the fight against illegal bunkering, kidnapping and hostage taking as well as piracy.
The confirmation came just as the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Iko Ishaya Ibrahim carried out a major shake up of the Navy hierarchy with the appointment of new Flag Officers Commanding and new Principal Staff Officers at the Naval headquarters.
Towards the new deployments, the Navy has sent 4 new MANTRA Class Seaward Defence boats with a configuration of 17 meters long, can run at 50 knots and carries a crew of 13 heavily armed combat personnel, to the general area of Bonny and Escravos sandwiched between Delta, Edo, Bayelsa and Cross Rivers states while another seven (7) Seaward Defence boats are deployed to the Port Harcourt axis to cover, Rivers, Bayelsa and Lagos areas.
Two (2) new Augusta Helicopters also acquired by the Navy are to be deployed to the area for air surveillance operations and patrol, to complement the efforts of the men at sea both inshore and offshore, and also to assist in search and rescue operations whenever the need arise.
Director of Information at Naval headquarters, Commodore David Nabaida, who made the confirmation in Abuja, explained that within the next six months, the presence of the Nigerian Navy would be felt more in the nation’s maritime space as more deployments would be further made when new platforms ordered by the Navy, arrive the country.
Emphasising that illegal oil bunkering, sea piracy, kidnapping and hostage taking have reduced drastically in the Niger Delta area thereby boosting the nation’s economic environment, Nabaida said it was as a result of the tremendous work the Navy was doing, taking on and curtailing the excesses of militants in the area pointing out that “Why the place is calm now is not because there are no problems of attacks or attempts to attack platforms and kidnap people, but we are tackling the situation”.
For the new Flag officers are, Rear Admiral Ola Sahad Ibrahim, formerly the Chief of Training and Operations at Naval headquarters, is the new Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Lagos; Rear Admiral Igwe Ben Acholonu, formerly the Naval Secretary, is the Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, Calabar.
Rear Admiral O. Oketa, formerly the Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, is the Flag Officer Commanding Logistics Command, Oghara, Delta State, Rear Admiral Ekwere U. Ekwere, formerly the Admiral Superintendent, Naval Ordinance Depot, is the new Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command, Apapa.

The new Chief of Training and Operations at Naval headquarters is Rear Admiral Dele Ezoba, formerly the Director of Training, DHQ and Chairman, Task Force on Illegal Jetties and Illegal Operations in the Maritime environment.
Rear Admiral Sylvester Usoro, formerly Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, is the new Chief of Policy and Plans at Naval headquarters. He takes over from Rear Admiral Peter Adeniyi, Rear Admiral Garba Amodu, formerly of Defence headquarters, is the new Chief of Naval Engineering. He takes over from Rear Admiral Ademuluti.
Rear Admiral Goddy Akpollo, formerly Deputy Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, is the new Chief of Administration at Defence headquarters, Rear Admiral Bodunrin Adisa Raji, formerly the Flag Officer, Commanding Eastern Naval Command, is the Deputy Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna.
Rear Admiral S. A. Mohammed is the new Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard, Lagos , Rear Admiral A. A. Macauley is Chief of Accountants and Budget, Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade formerly Flag Officer Commanding Logistics is redeployed to the Defence headquarters, Commodore Senebi Hungi Apuko, formerly Deputy Director, Defence Information is now Director, Veteran Services, Naval headquarters.
Commodore Usman Jibrin is the new Naval Secretary, Commodore D. O. Usuofa is the new Commodore Superintendent at Naval Ordinance Depot while Commodore A. B. Afolayan is the new Director of Medical Services. All the appointments take immediate effect.

Environmental activist knocked down by cancer

Written by Emma Amaize
Saturday, 17 January 2009

LIFE, they say begins at 40, but, at 42, just two years after a long life is supposed to have started for him and a time that the intellectual dimension of the Niger-Delta struggle, which he has been preaching, over the years, is beginning to manifest, Okoroba in Bayelsa state born intellectual militant, lawyer and environmental activist, Oronto Douglas, who was one of those who took the Niger-Delta struggle beyond the confines of Nigeria has been knocked down.
But even though he has been knocked down, he is not out. There is still life and once there is life, there is hope. That hope is what he is clinging on today.
A Bayelsa state-based journalist who saw him, late, last year, at the marriage ceremony of a former President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Mr. Felix Tuodolor in Port Harcourt said the Special Adviser to the Vice President looked frail and told some journalists and close friends that he was travelling out of the country soon after for medical treatment.
At a ceremony in which he represented his boss, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, sometime, last year, it was unmistakable that there was something wrong with Douglas inside.
And so , is, perhaps, no longer news to many as at now that that young and sturdily-built dark-complexioned Douglas who was among those who internationalised the Niger-delta struggle more than any other person in the region in the past 12 -15 years is down with cancer of the stomach and needs urgent help from well-meaning Niger-deltans and Nigerians to survive. This is the debilitating situation the Niger-Delta advocate has found himself today and he also requires divine intervention to live and continue with the struggle.
Anybody who knows Oronto, also the Deputy Director of the Environmental Rights Action (ERA) would understand that he bears a strong pain inside his frame for the Niger-Delta, particularly, the devastation of its environment, but, ironically, his abdomen is being eaten up at the moment by cancer.
American doctors said the exact causes of stomach cancer were not known but research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop stomach cancer. A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of developing a disease, such as age. Most people with this disease are 72 years and above.
But Douglas is only 42, going to 43, this year and so it could not been because of his age.
Another risk factor is that men are more likely than women to develop stomach cancer and the ailment is common to people to Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and African Americans than in non-Hispanic white Americans.
The studies suggest that people who eat a diet high in foods that are smoked, salted, or pickled may be at increased risk for stomach cancer. On the other hand, eating fresh fruits and vegetables may protect against this disease.
Latest reports said the cancer was spreading round his stomach and a worried national coordinator of the Ijaw Monitoring Group (IMG), Comrade Joseph Evah raised alarm during the week that there has been no concerted effort by Ijaw people to save him since he went out the country, last year, for treatment.
His words, “The issue of Oronto’s sickness has dominated the internet, especially the Ijaw Nation website since last year. Yet, there has not been any concerted effort by Ijaw people to save him. I think we need the help of the Sultan of Sokoto to talk to the conscience of our political leaders to do something over Oronto’s health if the Ijaw nation has not been able to raise a team to visit him in hospital abroad after two months of his sojourn there”.
It said it had made several efforts to alert the region’s public office holders over the activist’s ill health even through text messages, but regretted that those who managed to reply claimed ignorance of the situation.
“Oronto Douglas symbolises the Niger-Delta outside the region. He was the first Niger-Delta activist to be hosted by an American President – Bill Clinton to present the Niger-Delta struggle at the White House. He has presented papers in over 200 international conferences and has visited over 50 countries for the sake of our struggle.
The oratory of Douglas can only be compared to Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe of Africa”, he said.
On December 27, 2008, an electronic mail message was sent by an American group asking friends of Douglas to re-unite with him and a reminder was sent on January 10, 2009, but, no mention was made of his illness. It is not immediately clear whether the re-union call was for the friends to ask questions about Oronto and possibly come to the knowledge that he is ill and needs assistance or it is just a re-union call, pure and simple.
But the question now is not that Oronto Douglas is sick and needs help. The issue is what help is coming to him. Ijaws in America are unhappy that some people waited for Joseph Evah to raise alarm before they started doing something.
The Ijaw Foundation in America has already launched an appeal fund for Oronto. “It is gratifying that all Ijaws are extremely concerned about the health and welfare of our dear brother and champion of our Ijaw/Niger Delta Struggle, Oronto Douglas who is currently hospitalized in the United States. We commend the willingness and readiness of each of us to contribute financially to help defray Oronto Douglas’ healthcare costs”, the group said in an electronic message, signed by its president, Ebipamone Nanakumo.
“Ijaw Foundation wishes to inform all of us that efforts have been made behind the scenes to offer Oronto Douglas all the help he needs. Thankfully, those efforts are bearing fruit. However, our dear compatriot needs support on a continuing basis.
Accordingly, Ijaw Foundation hereby establishes a Fund to help defray Oronto Douglas’ current medical care costs and requests all Ijaws to forward their generous donations, in check or money order...”
“Alternatively, you may make your generous donations using the PayPal Electronic Money Transfer Mechanism at our website: www. ijawfoundation. org. Please specify that the donation is for the “Oronto Douglas Fund”. We thank and commend Brother Joseph Maclayton for suggesting the establishment of the Oronto Douglas Fund and for pledging to jump start the Fund with a donation of five hundred dollars ($500.00)”, he said. Though, some people expressed reservation over the manner Comrade Evah condemned the attitude of some Niger-Delta leaders towards the Douglas health affair with a Committee of Friends of the former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Bayelsa state taking him to the cleaners, but, the method was already yielding results with more people showing interest.
Saturday Vanguard learnt that the Bayelsa State Government may have sent N32 million to Douglas after the veiled attack on some Niger-Delta leaders by the IMG leader, while the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan is believed to have asked his Commissioner for Information, Mr. Omah Djebah to proceed to America soon with some assistance for Douglas.
Other Niger-Delta Governors were at press time said to be considering the level of assistance they would send to this great ambassador of the region. It was, however, learnt that the Vice President did not abandon Oronto in America hospital, as some people may have erroneously thought.
“How can he? Both of them are from the same Ogbia axis in Bayelsa state and it is because of his intellectual sagacity, principle and courage that the Vice President specially requested that Oronto should work with him as a Special Adviser in the Presidency. Both of them have come a long way, he cannot abandon him, he has made his contributions and it is not a thing he will be shouting about.
“It took Oronto time before he agreed to work with the Vice President in Aso Villa because of his pedigree. Remember that Oronto resigned his appointment as Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Bayelsa state when the former governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who appointed him, was sacked from office and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who was then his deputy, took over on principles. Dr. Jonathan knew the stuff Oronto is made; it is not because he does not like him (Jonathan), but, that is Oronto for you. So he is an asset to the Vice President and there is no way he will abandon him”, our source stated.
It was not only the Oronto Committee of Friends that railed on Evah for his attack, Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark also called him on phone, wondering why he went that far, but, as soon as he knew the reasons for Evah’s outburst, he simmered down.
However, Evah, who spoke to Saturday Vanguard on phone, Thursday, took exception to the diatribe on him by the so-called Oronto Committee of Friends, saying they should not limit the personality of Oronto to their social club or committee.
His words, “Oronto’s personality transcends a mere committee of friends or social club, In fact, saying that I should take permission from them before speaking on Oronto’ s health debacle shows that they don’t even know the person they call their friend. Oronto is an international figure. You cannot limit him to your social club.
It is like us talking about President Umaru Yar’Adua’s health and somebody coming out to say that it is a family matter, we should not talk about it, who told you that Yar’Adua’s matter is a family matter or that the state of Oronto’s health is for his committee of friends, that is arrant rubbish and who says I am not Oronto’s friend”.
He said that he knew that some people may have made one or two contributions before his outburst, but, obviously, it was not enough and that was why Ijaws in America had to start raising funds for him.
“Imagine, people asking for kobo, kobo donation to assist Oronto, which is disgraceful for a personality of his standard. What are our leaders doing and watching the symbol of our struggle outside Nigeria die. The other day, a state governor in one of the Eastern states collapsed on the podium at a public function and I think, a top military chief in the country also collapsed recently, we don’t know the nature of their illnesses in this country and anything can happen.
Is Oronto not working at the Presidency, why should the Presidency not mobilize funds for his treatment, why should they wait for Ijaw people in America to launch appeal fund”, he queried.
Comrade Evah said, “As a person, I have no moral justification to keep quiet when Oronto is sick because during my recent ailment from which God saved me, he was by my bedside and did everything to assist me, why should I keep quiet, all those who are saying I should have kept quiet don’t know what they are saying, I will keep saying it if they don’t do what they are supposed to do because this is a man who life is all about Niger-Delta struggle and I tell you, if they have not responded the way I hear they have started doing now, I would have dragged them to court to compel them to assist Oronto because we all know what he stands for”.
Reports said Douglas has been “in and out of intensive care twice in the past two weeks at a hospital in San Francisco” and has reportedly incurred a bill of nearly or more than $300,000.00 while the hospital was insisting that a deposit of at least $150,000.00 be made for treatment.
Cancer does not have clear-cut symptoms but as it grows, there is discomfort in the stomach area, feeling full or bloated after a small meal, nausea and vomiting as well as weight loss. What was evident in Douglas’s case is that he lost weigh, looked older than his age and fragile. “Most often, these symptoms are not due to cancer.
Other health problems, such as an ulcer or infection, can cause the same symptoms. Anyone with these symptoms should tell the doctor so that problems can be found and treated as early as possible”, Medicine-Net experts advised.
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COMMUNIQUÉ

The meeting of the Steering Committee of the Conference of Ethnic Nationalities of Niger Delta (CENND) held today Wednesday, December 17, 2008 in Uzere, Delta State. The Apex body of the Conference deliberated extensively on the Report of the Technical Committee on the Niger Delta and some other issues of national importance and issued this Communiqué.

1. The Conference deeply regrets the loss of two outstanding and committed members in the persons of:

a. Ukai (Sir) Fred Essien – Ibiobio Leader

b. Chief Chris Ghomorai – Vice President, Ijaw National Congress (INC)

The two leaders died in the struggle to actualize the desires of the Ethnic Nationalities of the Niger Delta. Conference prays that their souls and those of all the departed rest in peace.

2. The Report submitted to Government by the Technical Committee on the Niger Delta failed to meet the aspiration of the Ethnic Nationalities of the Niger Delta.

3. It is manifestly clear that the final outcome has been programmed to become another ploy to ensure that business continues as usual and to encourage the perpetuation of social upheavals in the region such as bunkering, vandalisation of pipelines, etc. In such a situation, the region continues to remain poor, backward and insecure as has been the case since 1958.

4. It is to achieve the design that government was careful to nominate persons that would do its bidding with the usual expectation that the new set of Niger Deltans so negatively selected and manipulated and thereafter exposed to the criticism of our people would be further driven into the unfortunate situation of lackeys of government and enemies of their people. The forty-seven (47) members of the Technical Committee of which over thirty (30) are Niger Deltans selected have therefore been manipulated to produce a report that was intended to provoke the Ethnic Nationalities of the Niger Delta.

5. Our people however, have learnt from the Ogoni experience when the Ogoni four were set up against the Ogoni nine and in one fell swoop the leadership of Ogoni was decapitated. We will not fall for the trick. All we want to say to our fellow Niger Deltans who were invited in the past and are likely to be invited in future is that the yoke of colonialism cannot be lifted by begging those who always adopt the strategy of inviting selected persons amongst those they colonize to 'come and eat,' the cake baked in the Niger Delta.

6. As we are opposed to violence, we propose that the case of the Niger Delta must be understood by Niger Deltans and Nigeria and this can be done by courageously presenting our case so that no Niger Deltan should in future succumb to buy offs or the offer of "come and eat" by the internal colonizers.

7. It is however unfortunate that the forty-seven men and women of the Technical Committee over thirty of whom are from the Niger Delta, pretend not to know that the Ethnic Nationalities of the Niger Delta are not only struggling for development but also for basic rights such as the right to choose their own leaders as all civilized people around the world do and control of their resources, when they made themselves available for the unpatroitic assignment.

8. The Conference of Ethnic Nationalities of the Niger Delta [CENND] wishes to intimate our people that there is no distinction between neocolonialism and internal colonialism except that the former is controlled from the outside, such as Nigeria was until 1960 by the British, while the latter comes from within, which is the case at the moment.

9. Since 1958, notwithstanding various Commissions, Committees and Panels, the internal colonizers of the Niger Delta have maintained a policy whereby the Niger Delta would produce the wealth for the benefit of Nigeria except the Niger Delta. This is exploitation.

10. The various federal governments, military or civilian, have pursued the same colonizers' principles of divide and rule and CENND is aware that a lot of manpower and resources are spent to ensure that the Ethnic Nationalities of the Niger Delta do not unite. In the same vein, any effort that is seen as seeking to foster the unity of Niger Deltans is discouraged, targeted and destroyed.

11. Government, we are convinced, is in no doubt fully aware that the Conference of the Ethnic Nationalities of the Niger Delta [CENND] was at the fore front of the rejection of Gambari and the so-called Niger Delta Conference. It is therefore not surprising that in selecting members of the Technical Committee, Government ensured that no member identified with CENND was appointed for obvious reasons so that its original designs of shortchanging the Ethnic Nationalities of the Niger Delta would still be realized.

12. The Technical Report in many regards is in effect therefore, a setback for our people who after the Obasanjo ill-fated Conference resolved that nothing short of allowing them to control their resources and in turn pay appropriate taxes to the Federal Government will assuage their desire.

13. This is the situation which Niger Delta past heroes including Isaac Boro, Ken Saro Wiwa Alfred Rewane and many others tried to promote but ended up by paying the supreme price. It is this position that our youths retired into trenches to demand and after a lot of blood was spilled and other harrowing and dehumanizing methods were employed the internal colonizers could not break their will. It is regrettable that a Committee of persons who are all from the south could therefore allow themselves to be manipulated into a situation whereby they could, as individuals, work against the interest of their people and Nigeria.

14. The Conference of Ethnic Nationalities of the Niger Delta is convinced that the Federal Government is not sincere with our people as is clearly demonstrated by the provision for the Niger Delta in the 2009 Budget before the National Assembly. The sum of Eighty Billion (80 billion) Naira is voted for both the proposed Ministry of the Niger Delta and NDDC.

15. We recall that the Federal Government voted the same amount in this year's (2008) budget for NDDC alone. In effect, nothing has changed except the concomitant waste that would arise in running the two separate agencies and consequential reduction in the actual funds that would accrue to the region.

16. It is also instructive to recall and note that the sum of N400 billion was voted for security alone for the Niger Delta in this year's budget while no provision for this purpose is made for the 2009 budget. It is our belief that the security vote or a substantial part of it should at least have been added to the allocation for the Niger Delta.

17. We discover with a lot of regret that the Technical Committee on the Niger Delta only concerned itself with economic concerns of the Niger Delta albeit dishonestly and displayed an abysmal lack of courage to deal with political issues that leave the region in the sorry state it unfortunately finds itself. We consider this as deliberate and consequently a betrayal of trust by our people in the Technical Committee.

18. CENND further strongly rejects any attempt to redefine the content and nature of our region (Niger Delta Region) and affirm that the Niger Delta for us are the six states of Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. The nine states now being craftily designated the Niger Delta therefore do not belong to the terrain of Ethnic Nationalities of the Niger Delta. In this regard, Government intervention agencies like the defunct OMPADEC and the NDDC cannot in any way be taken to represent the Niger Delta region which the Conference of Ethnic Nationalities of the Niger Delta represents.

19. All the Ethnic Nationalities of the Niger Delta demanded the minimum of 50% derivation in the first instance and full control of their resources thereafter by the people who own the wealth. It amounts to a disservice to our people therefore for the Technical Committee on its own to recommend 25% and offer such excuses as would annoy any true patriot of the Niger Delta.

20. We note amongst other factors that the Technical Committee deliberately avoided specific dates for the Federal Government to implement the increase in allocation to the Niger Delta in their so-called COMPACT and instead preferred the non-committal use of "progressive" increase. The Technical Committee also failed to correctly identify the status of existing agencies as demonstrated on page 79 of the report.

21. In the circumstance, the Conference of Ethnic Nationalities of the Niger Delta [CENND] states therefore that:

a. persons, men and women including religious and traditional leaders of the Ethnic Nationalities of the Niger Delta must realize that the destiny of the Niger Delta is in their hands, and this cannot be realized when they create favourable atmosphere for internal colonialism in the region;

b. its demand for a National Conference or the establishment of a Constituent Assembly for the purpose of writing a new Constitution is inevitable because the National Assembly Committee established to review the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Reform Committee are mere designs to reduce pressure on government because government knows fully well that the National Assembly cannot review the Constitution which effort started in 1999. The pressure however subsists and would progressively get worse as these ploys only succeed in postponing the evil day.

22. We find it most pertinent with the prevailing situation to restate our position as contained in our Position Paper that was submitted to the Presidency, National Assembly, state Governors of the Niger Delta and the Technical Committee on the Niger Delta which include the following:

PREAMBLE

The Ethnic Nationalities of the Niger Delta under the aegis of the Conference of the Ethnic Nationalities of the Niger Delta [CENND] in agreement with a vast majority of other Nigerians agree that the 1999 Constitution cannot be amended because it was not derived from the people as it was foisted on them by the military. They also agreed that the National Assembly does not have the constitutional power to review the Constitution as it is presently, as only a Constituent Assembly of all Ethnic Nationalities where the Ethnic Nationalities themselves nominate their representatives can prepare a new Constitution.

The Ethnic Nationalities of the Niger Delta therefore in realisation of the need to aggregate their common desires held a series of meetings and after diverse consultations among them, agreed on a common position as follows:

(1) Support for continued existence of Nigeria as a country but one that is fair, just and stable. (2) Nigeria to be a Federal Union. (3) The Ethnic Nationalities to be the Federating Units were any member of contiguous Ethnic Nationalities can merge to form such federating units if they so desire. (4) Each of the federating units to devise and operate its constitution in addition to the Union Constitution. (5) The Union Government to be broad-based to reflect the diversity of the federating units (6) The Union shall have a Legislature i.e. a House of States with each federating unit sending an equal number of representatives to the House. (7) The country shall operate a parliamentary system of government to avoid among others the excessive cost implications of the Presidential System. (8) There shall be a Union Supreme Court side by side with the Supreme Courts of the Federating units with the latter organised to reflect the peculiarities of the respective Federating units. (9) The political system shall make provisions for multi-party system and Independent Candidacy. (10) The Federating Electoral bodies are to conduct all elections within their Units. The Union Electoral body therefore should collate results for Union elections from the results obtained from the Federating Electoral Bodies. (11) All election petition matters to be concluded before the swearing-in of elected officers from a particular election. (12)Federating Units shall contribute troops to the Union Army organised in line with the new federal structure. (13) There shall be Union police and Federating unit police with the Union police having powers over trans-border crimes only. The Federating Units police shall handle internal security within their units. (14) Ethnic Nationalities to own and control their resources and pay appropriate taxes to the Union Government. (15) Nigeria being a secular state should not promote any religion as, for example, the sponsoring of pilgrims to holy lands. (16) Decisions at the House of States i.e. the Union Legislature to be by majority of Ethnic Nationalities. (17) There should be compulsory military training/service for all Nigerians between the ages of 21 and 30 years. (18) Laws to check and control environmental pollution such as oil spillage, gas flaring sand and rock excavation etc to be enforced in the states. (19) In the interim a Marshal Plan to facilitate the rapid transformation of the Niger Delta be initiated and implemented without any further delay by the Federal Government as a public show of good faith.

Our position also outlines the responsibilities of tiers of governments and with respect to Union Government and their functions include:

a. Defence

b. Foreign affairs

c. Customs

d. Currency, coinage and legal tender

e. Immigration

f. Citizenship

g. Banking, bills of exchange and promissory notes

h. Aviation policy and regulations

i. Formulation and regulation of standards in tertiary Educational Institutions

j. Nuclear energy

We listed the following 19 Obnoxious Laws that should be repealed.

v Oil Terminal Drill Act

v Oil Terminal Act

v Associated Gas Re-injection Act 1978

v Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1978

v Territorial Waters Act (Cap 116) 1990

v National Inland Waterways Authority Act 13, 1993

v Offshore Oil Revenue 1971

v Petroleum Act 1999

v Land Use Act 1978

v Oil Pipeline and Lands (Title Vesting etc) Act 2, 1993

v Land (Title Vesting etc) Act CAP 17 LFN 2004

v Minerals and Mining Act CAP M13 LFN 2004

v Exclusive Economic Zone Act CAP E17 2004

v Territorial Waters Act CAP TS LFN 2004

v Oil Pipelines Act CAP 07 LFN 2004

v Associated Gas Re-injection Act CAP A2 LFN 2004

v National Inland Water Ways Authority Act CAP N4 LFN 2004

v Section 44 (3) of the Constitution Act CAP 123 LFN 2004

v Oil Terminal Dues Act CAP 08 LFN 2004

We need to add however that before a National Conference can be convened and a new Constitution brought into being, the Federal Government should complete all ongoing projects including the East-West Road. The increase of Revenue Allocation from 13% to 50% if government is sincere can also be accomplished by the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission. The repeal of the 19 obnoxious laws do not also require constitutional amendment. The Electoral Laws should immediately be amended by National Assembly so that this would provide for free, fair and credible elections.

SIGNED BY:

Prof. Kimse Okoko Mr. Michael Orobator

Chairman General Secretary

 

Militants Blame Niger Delta Leaders For Woes

Sunday, 28 December 2008, 6:17 pm
Article: Akanimo Sampson
Akanimo Sampson,
Port Harcourt

Militants Blame Niger Delta Leaders For Woes
THE Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC), a coalition of some key insurgent groups including the Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), and the Reformed Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Foce, says the biggest challenge in the Niger Delta, Nigeria's main oil and gas region today is the failure of leadership.
Spokesperson of the group, Cynthia Whyte, in an on-line statement to our correspondent yesterday said, ''there is too much incompetence and corruption in the region and our people are suffering for it. Monies meant for the development of the Niger Delta is being stolen and shipped across the nooks and crannies of the world''.
According to them, ''there is need for a Marshall Plan in the Niger Delta in line with the thinking of the former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, and we request that Donald Duke be given to mandate to drive that plan''.
''If that happens'', they went on, ''then we will see that money will begin to flow into the Niger Delta. We will stop hearing complaints about non-release of NDDC funds because prosperity and success will always attract prosperity and success''.
Continuing, the militants argued, ''proper leadership in the Niger Delta will attract success. International partners will begin to flow into the region and take charge of key development challenges. How much of oil money did Donald Duke use to build Tinapa? We are dire need to focussed leadership. There is growing concern that the bad water in the Niger Delta may be the reason why some of our Niger Delta elites are so dumb. It calls for real concern''.
The JRC claimed that the appointment of Rilwanu Lukman as Petroleum Minister is a spite in the face of the people of the Niger Delta whose petroleum resources continue to oil the economy of the country.
''It however vindicates our claim that most politicians from the Niger Delta are failed and incompetent. They do not know their onions and lack the competency to deliver the goods. They remain stooges and rubberstamps on the chessboards of the now privileged northern oligarchies' ', they said.
Continuing, they added, ''what we will see in the next few years is increased stealing of the resources of the people of the Niger Delta by northern cabals. The predating northern cabals will go for the kill, rock the till and have their fill. Mark my words. They will use our oil money to continue to prospect for oil in the desertlands of the North instead of using the money to develop the impoverished Niger Delta. They will acquire more marginal fields in our own backyards. They will award themselves oil lifting rights. They will award themselves the juiciest contracts in the highly lucrative oil and gas industry''.
The new petroleum minister according to the militants, ''is one of the owners of Afren Petroleum, an oil and gas exploration and production company which is currently producing about 20,000 barrels of oil per day leveraging the achievement of first oil milestone at their Okoro Setu fields and farm-in agreements for certain campaigns with ExxonMobil'' .
Hitting hard on the leaders of the oil region, the militants said their core concern is the future of the Ijaw and Niger Delta territory, insisting, ''incompetent, visionless and corrupt leaders must be removed from the Niger Delta''.
President Yar 'Adua,. they said, ''will continue to hold back funds meant for the development of the Niger Delta as long as he knows that those responsible for managing these funds are very corrupt and evil. Derivations for the states will continue to be very low as long as those at the top know that the governors of the Niger Delta are actually rogues and bandit elements waiting to pounce on the largesse''.
Taking on the likes of Chief Edwin Clark, the armed youths said, ''they said Godsday Orubebe is the Minister of State. Before now, they said he was the President's houseboy on Niger Delta issues. Chief Clark and some others begged until he was made Minister of Special Duties. Yet the same Clark is complaining that Yar'Adua's government is not doing enough for the Niger Delta. Now read between the lines.
What we know is that the status quo in attention given to the Niger Delta must change''.

ENDS

 

Sylva blames past administrations for Bayelsa’s State woes

28/12/2008
From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

Governor Bayelsa state, Chief Timipree Sylva says his administration has been able to control the excesses of Bayelsans in all endeavors as he blames past administrations’ inability to do same.

According to him education and agriculture would be his major focus in 2009. Governor Sylva who spoke at the inaugural lecture on ‘Leadership and Public Presentation/ Launch of the Eagle Magazine’, organized by the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor, Political Matters, Ambassador Emmanuel Otitio, in Yenagoa yesterday noted that his administration has tried to curtail the self centered attitudes of most Bayelsans as he came on board.

According to him, in most societies, the people grow along with society but in Bayelsa state, the reverse is the case as most people only think of how they could develop their pockets to the detriment of the state.

"In Bayelsa state, it is our choice to develop the environment or to develop our pockets", adding ‘people are better than the environment.

The uncontrolled excesses led is administration to introduce measures aimed at checking most excesses by the people, noted Sylva.

"The controls were not in place, so we tried to put in a few controls as we came in" said the Governor who however disclosed that "it was not easy" to ensure the success of these controls.

"Next year, we shall invest massively in agriculture. Fishing is where we have comparative advantage; we must all be prepared to fish".

He also described as shameful that Bayelsans who are known fishermen are depending on imported fish.

"It is shame to all of us that we are depending on fish produced from China " said Sylva who vowed to produce 500 Million fishes.

"500 million size fish to be produced next year. We must produce the fish we consume"

HRH, Chief (Dr.) Edmond Daukoru, the Amayanabo of Nembe, who spoke in his capacity as the chairman off the occasion commended the state Government for the establishment of the Eagle Magazine which he described as a means through which the Government can communicate with the Governed.

The publication, he noted, is a call for action to work towards change.

"The eagle will be a rallying point" noted Daukoru who commended the Chief launcher, Mike Adenga, for accepting to launch it.

Chairman of the Editorial Board of the Eagle Magazine, Ambassador Emmanuel Otitio, in his remarks gave insight on why the magazine was named "The Eagle"

According to him, the eagle is a bird that sees far, fly very high into the sky more than other birds.

He says Governor Sylva is like the eagle that has continued to have good vision for Bayelsans, and appealed to the people of the state to work with Sylva to realize his vision for the state.

"We will complete assignment God has given us. Nobody can stop it", noted Otitio.

The inaugural lecture which was delivered by Dr. Steven Ogan of the University of Port Harcourt was titled "Integrity and Leadership for Sustainable Development" .

Dr.Ogan who defined integrity in various ways including as "the guide of the up right’, ‘a matter of life and death’, ‘holistic development’, ‘Zero tolerance to corruption’ amongst other definitions noted that the immorality of a leader is not a sin to himself alone but to the nation.

To restore intrgrity, Ogan says one must do away with pride and despair.A good leader resproduces good followers’, he said amidst loud, standing ovasion from the attendees which included, Prof.Turner Isoun, Prof. Lawrence Ikpebu, Prof. Kinse Okoko,Dr. Amba Ambawei Prof.Ebiegberi Alagoa among other prominent indigenes of the state.

Suspected militant leader, Soboma Japkri, arrested 29/12/2008

From Shola O’Neil, Warri

There was pandemonium in Buguma Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, yesterday as over 50 armed soldiers rolled in four armoured vehicles to arrest suspected militant leader, Soboma Japkri.
It was gathered that Soboma (a.k.a Ebiere Papa) was arrested from the Palace of the Amayanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, Prof. TJT Princewill at about 8:25p.m. on Sunday night.

But the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) spokesperson, Lt.-Col. Musa Sagir, described the report as untrue.

Although he confirmed that there were more than 700 soldiers, he said they had been there for long.

Witnesses said Ebiere Papa was with prominent Ijaw youth leaders, including Alhaji Mujaheed Dokubo-Asari, when the troops stormed the town in a commando-like operation.

Dokubo-Asari was said to have escaped arrest through the intervention of a top Army officer.

The officer was said to have warned that Dokubo-Asari’s arrest might exacerbate the Niger Delta crisis.

Although there was no report of gun shots, it was gathered that Soboma, who had been on the wanted list of security operatives, was whisked away at about 8:30 p.m. much to the chagrin of the Amayanabo and prominent chiefs, who felt aggrieved that he was arrested in the place.

Dokubo-Asari, who confirmed the report, said Soboma was with him in the Kalabari town, preparatory to the traditional oath taking to be administered by prominent chiefs in the kingdom.

A source said the ceremony, slated for the palace of the Amayanabo, was part of the peace process being midwifed by Chief Albert Horsefall.

It was gathered that the militants who would have taken the oath were expected to renounce violence and embrace peace.

Indications that soldiers could storm the palace emerged earlier in the evening when a son of the monarch, Prince Tonye Princewill, called to hint his father of plans to arrest Soboma in his palace.

The source said the telephone conversation between father and son lasted for about 30 minutes.

Princewill also spoke with Dokubo-Asari, who also emphasised the need for the peace process to go as planned.

Dokubo-Asari, who confirmed the report in an exclusive telephone interview with The Nation, condemned the incident, describing it as a nail on the coffin of the peace process.

He said the JTF should not take credit for Soboma’s arrest.

Dokubo-Asari said: "They are having a peace process, which is sponsored by the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and somebody has voluntary come out of his own volition.

"What they should have done was to allow the process to be completed and after that there would be handing over of arms and demobilisation. Now, the peace process has been jeopardized. "

Lagos lawyer Festus Keyamo had been contacted to take up Soboma’s case in court, it was learnt last night.

Keyamo confirmed at about 10.05 p.m. yesterday that he had been briefed.

Group vows to monitor fund allocations to Niger Delta

Written by VANGUARD
Saturday, 27 December 2008
The United Niger Delta Energy Development and Security Strategy (UNDEDSS) has vowed to monitor allocations and fund utilisation in the Niger Delta next year. The UNDEDSS, a coalition of Niger Delta Ethnic Societies said the move was one of its efforts to “tackle corruption among the leaders of the Niger Delta.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday, the Secretary General of the group, Mr Tony Uranta, said that the body had resolved to cut down the rate of corruption in the oil-rich region.
“The coalition has worked out strategies to track down every fund released to the region as well as monitor its utilization,” he said.Uranta who is also a member of the Ledum Mitee-led Technical Committee on the Niger Delta said that majority of the leaders in the region had been “stealing the people’s money.”

“Most allocations to the region were often embezzled by some of the leaders, leaving the people in worse conditions than they ought to have been,” he said.
He noted that many of the leaders were imposed on the people; a situation he said contributed so much to the restiveness in the region.“Apart from Adams Oshiomhole, most of the public officials in the region were not truly elected by the people of the Niger Delta,” he said.

 

Ijaw Group Mourns Leader

By Onyedika Agbedo
THE Ijaw National Congress (INC), Lagos State chapter has described as unfortunate, the death of one of their leaders, Chief Chris Ghomorai.

Ghomorai, who was until his death the group's national vice president, was among those that lost their lives in an accident that occurred along the Warri-Port Harcourt Expressway recently.

In a statement by its steering committee chairman, Chief Patrick Keku, the group said the pioneer Commissioner for Finance in Delta State was committed to the struggle for the emancipation of the Niger Delta, noting that his death was a great loss to the region and the country at large.

"Ghomorai was a patriot, an esteemed gentleman and a fighter of the common pillar, worthy of emulation. He made positive contributions to the Ijaw struggle and the nation at large and was also associated with the struggle against oppression by the government and oil companies," the statement said.

The INC condoled with families that lost their loved ones in the accident and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

 

My husband is dying, says Okah’s wife

25/12/2008

Wife of detained Henry Okah, Azuka, yesterday relived her husband’s harrowing experience in detention.

In a statement last night, she said Okah was being detained in an underground cell in a military barrack. She said he had been in detention since February 4 after his extradition from Angola.

Okah is being tried in camera at a Federal High Court in Jos for alleged treason.

Mrs. Okah said her husband had been refused medical treatment and subjected to inhuman treatment.

His kidney ailment, she added, is deteriorating.

She said: "He could barely get into the court room on the last adjourned date of December 19; he was frail, weak and he vomited all through the night of

December 18. Henry expressed misgivings that he may die in government detention before the next court date of January 23, 2009 if not treated immediately.

"The government urologist recommended urgent surgery for Henry after a series of kidney test."

 

The Niger Delta Militants: What Do They Want?

By D. Peter Ihejirika 08056758474

The issue of the Niger Delta Struggle has become a recurring decimal. Even with the death of the foremost Niger Delta agitator and nationalist, Isaac Adaka Boro, through the most recent in the persons of the Late Ken Saro Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine, the issue which people hitherto thought would have died down or completely washed away from the Nigeria political discourse due to the Odi massacre among other afore mentioned, has been given a fresh bite.

Today, the struggle which started ordinarily as a mere protest and mild agitation has taken a wild dimension leading to so many other vices as dissidents and infiltrators have cashed in on the precarious situation to unleash mayhem on both Nigerians and expatriates alike as the youths have yowled to the swaps for jungle justice to drive their points home to the authorities.

So, if it is not the exchange of gunfire with the Federal security agents, it will be a case of kidnap; if not oil well sabotage, it will be a boastful threat of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) or the Niger Delta Volunteer Force (NDVF) or others warning of their readiness to attack oil installations.

The struggle has made heroes out of some of the freedom fighters that ordinarily would not have been known. Such persons as Alhaji Asari Dokubo of the NDVF who, despite been incarcerated, is still weighing a very serious influence and commendations after choosing the part of peace after his release last year.

When these hitherto vigilante organizations started some years ago, people did not give them a chance hence they thought they were playing to the gallery. Even the writer of this piece had always treated Dokubo's head lines and that of his co-traveller, Ateke Tom, with disdain as they were then seen and portrayed in local tabloids. Hence in the public domain, they were then seen as common local criminals whose stock in trade is illegal oil bunkering. Today, Asari's firm statements on national issues send the shivers down the spine of the Nigerian authorities. Though since his release by the present administration of Alhaji Umaru Yar'Adua, his power has been watered down a little. Hence before his release, some splinter groups have emerged, now making the Niger Delta issue a hydra-headed affair - either it is MEND bulldozing from this angle or the reformed Niger Delta Volunteer Force and the Martyrs Bridge.

So, at any point in time, either Jomo Gbomo or Cynthia Whyte has not left anybody in doubt that they are not faceless. No wonder at any point of attack, they would let the public know they were responsible for a particular attack or the other. But most of the times, people ignore such warnings to their peril.

In May 2006, MEND boastfully told the Nigerian government that they have acquired a rocket-propelled launcher, which would undermine the Nigerian security at the Bonga oil field. Two years after, the oil field fell to the supposedly superior powers of the militants.

Hence they dislodged the biggest oil-floating vessel in the continent and beyond. As complacent as the federal authorities were, they disregarded the earlier warning. No wonder after two years of careful study and craftsmanship, the militants struck the Bonga to the chagrin of both Nigeria and the international communities. What an irony!

However, one thing that has continued to baffle everybody is the true intention of these freedom fighters. Ab initio, they were talking of maginalization, environmental degradation, and lack of development of the Niger Delta area. They felt the Nigerian state under the leadership of the former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was not keen on solving the numerous problems of the people of the Niger Delta hence they resorted to kidnapping of expatriate oil workers and some construction company giants like Julius Berger, among others. Initially, people thought they were doing it to attract the attention of the international communities but as time goes on, the issues snow-balled into chains of kidnap cases of even innocent persons including children. To that extent, early sympathizers of the struggle are now batting to unravel the true intentions of the militants. Such questions as these are now being commonly asked: Are they just there to make money through an act of bravado? Are they truly fighting for the downtrodden masses of the Niger Delta? Is it a mafia war to outwit the initial illegal oil bunkers? Is it to send a message to the federal that they are no longer comfortable with their marriage of convenience, orchestrated only by the black gold?

But if people are wont to believe that the struggle is still for the interest of the masses, which is supposed to be the main cardinal objective, it is high time they sheathed their swords and re-energize and channel their grievances and might to the total liberation of the Niger Deltans.

It might not only be through violence or war but through the ideal way of dialogue especially this time around that the Federal Government has shown a genuine commitment with the creation of the NIGER DELTA MINISTRY. We must resist the temptation of the outsiders instigating us to cause confusion in our region thereby scaring genuine investors away.

The Niger Delta militants should as a matter of urgency liaise with other sister ethnic organizations that share the same ideology like the MASSOB and OPC to realize the main objectives of the region. However, such marriage should be well scrutinized to avoid dissidents infiltrating into the struggle or some politicians highjacking the struggle for their self-aggrandizement . More so, they should limit the incessant cases of kidnapping of innocent citizens of this country or foreigners alike. Hence you cannot use the iron rod you are condemning to punish others, as people would look at you as having misfired.

In as much as this struggle is legitimate, they can drag the federal government to the law court here in Nigeria or to the International Law Court at The Hague.

There is no auspicious time than now as the present administration under Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has been singing the rule of law slogan. If Yar'Adua can hand over the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon citing the decision of the international court of justice who knows, anything can still be possible hence by carrying more attacks you are inflicting more harm on the already impoverished region.

*Ihejirika wrote in from Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

FRESH CRISIS LOOMS IN NIGER DELTA OVER NDDC, MINISTRY BUDGET
EXCEPT

President Umar Yar'Adua's administration quickly initiates a constitutional engineering that will jack up derivation principle to the 25 per cent as proposed by the Ledum Mitee-led Niger Delta Technical Committee (NDTC), there are no prospects for stability in the Niger Delta area in the 2009 fiscal year.å
Operators of the oil industry, and other businesses in the oil and gas region are said to be jittery as the active circles in the region are said to be grumbling aloud over the budgetary allocation to the newly created Niger Delta Ministry, and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Some security advisors to the multinational oil corporations are said to be counselling the industry to take ''extra security measures'' as situations in the oil and gas region are still largely unpredictable.

Already, President Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Dr Chris Ekiyor, has said that the restive youths of the oil region are not comfortable with the allocations to the NDDC and the Niger Delta Ministry. Ekiyor spoke as part of activities marking the 10th year anniversary of the Kaiama Declaration.

According to him, the allocations were not only a slap on the region but intended to further impoverish the region. Describing it as day light robbery on the people of the Niger Delta the president said from first of January next year youths of Ijaw nation would begin massive protest on the streets of Abuja and other parts of the country against the budgetary allocation.

“From January 1, 2009 Ijaw youths will start a resistance process aimed at impoverishing the peoples of the Niger Delta. We have as an organisation, rejected the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of the Niger Delta and the NDDC. It is an act of criminality. The region provides about ninety percent of the economy that sustains the nation. What government did was to take the balance of the NDDC budget and distribute'' , he said.

Continuing, he said NDDC had N97 billion in the 20098 fiscal year. Surprisingly, they are giving the development agency N27 billion next year. This is even coming when we shouted that the N79 billion was not enough then. They are merely removing N47 billion from last year’s allocation to the NDDC and give it to the newly created Niger Delta Ministry, and the balance of N27 billion to the NDDC''.

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According to the obviously angry Ijaw youths, nothing new has come to the oil region in terms of allocation, adding, ''rather what we have is even a shortfall from what the NDDC got last year to the tune of twenty three billion naira. Where has this twenty three billion naira gone to? Now they want the new ministry to handle construction of the East West road from its paltry allocation. This we will reject because it is a crime against the people of the region”.

They therefore reaffirmed their commitment to the Kaiama Declaration insisting that it is the only thing that could free the people from the shackles of poverty and oppression in a country where it produces about seventy nine percent of its economy. “: On Kiama declaration we stand. We reaffirm today that this solemn declaration which Ijaw youths in worldwide gave to ourselves is our right and our life. On kiama declaration we stand”

Meanwhile, the Ijaw youths are planning to converge in Warri, the commercial city of Delta State, on December 30, to honour their compatriots who lost their lives in the last 10 years while pursuing the struggle for a socio-economic, political and environmental justice for the peoples of the Niger Delta.

 

Government should issue white paper on recommendations acceptable to it by January, says Uranta

Sunday, December 14, 2008
After 21 days, of collection of memoranda, visitation of the creeks and deliberation, 46 members of the Niger Delta Technical Committee led by Mr. Ledum Mitee finally submitted their report to President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua last week, one of the members and the National secretary of the United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS) spoke to BERTRAM NWANNEKANMA in Lagos on the reports, challenges and expectations of the Committee
What were your experiences as a member of the committee?
It was quite an educative period in which I learnt a bit more about the Niger Delta and its issues. Most importantly how Nigerians in power both in Abuja and Niger Delta regions view the issue of Niger Delta.
What are those challenges faced by the committee during the assignment?
As a whole, the committee was treated very poorly, we had accommodation, transport feeding; quite all right but were treated shabbily, and the chairman, secretary and members were compelled to use personal funding running to millions of naira to execute the project.
We were put at the Hilton Hotels, Abuja but we were not made to enjoy the privileges. However all the members resolved to make the necessary sacrifices to ensure a speedy outcome of report was as possible.
We were constrained by time allocated to us first, it was supposed to be 10 days extended to 14 days then 21 days. We are always running on a short time. However regardless of the hurdles, all members brought out the best they could under the circumstances.
On the details of the report?
The report was made up of three parts. Basically, we collate field reports, visit the area, including the boys in the creeks and review memoranda from all kinds of organisations, people in the zone, international organisations, oil companies, civil societies organizations, security agencies.
This constituted the main parts of the report. We got to learn that there was some issues which have traits that run through every reports, issues like derivation. The Willink's recommended a purely a federal system; with regional governments or states' controlling all revenues and paying tax to the centre in 1960-63.
In fact, the committee was more amenable to that position, what we wanted to produce was a recommendation that Nigeria should purely be a federation meaning that states will have 100 percent derivation or what you called resource control. We were however conversant with our realities, dynamics and the animosity prevalent in our society today, This made us to tread on the side of caution, we therefore decided to fall back to the recommendation of Ogbemudia which was 50 percent derivation as well as that of the 2005 National Political Reform Conference, which recommended 50 percent. That was what people like Ogbemudia and other reports including our leaders had insisted over four years ago and then, we realize that it is the minimum position of the people in of the region. 50 percent of the resource as derivation, in the realization of the downfall in the world oil prices, we decided to put a cause as in 2005 that we should start with 25 percent in the first six months and graduate to 50 percent before 2011 that is midway to the end of the tenure of the present administration.
Outside derivation, one major issues that was of interest to Nigeria and the world the peace in the region, the issues of militancy, unrest and youth restiveness. We approached this by receiving memoranda from security agents, traditional rulers, governors in the region, youths and armed youths who submitted memoranda as well as visiting their camps, where they were hiding in the creeks.
Trough our findings, we recommended that Henry Okah be tried openly as well as granted bail.
Henry Okah should be allowed access of every constitutional rights such as access to medical attention as ruled by a judge and hopefully towards working political solution to his release.
However why this is going on, we believe a credible and genuine amnesty be arranged for the militants.
We advocated a process through disarmament, demobilization and Rehabilitation process (DDR), government may come out with a committee or a commission, whatever mode it may want it that is up to government, but the DDR is an essential part of reconciliation it is not right to ask the youths to come out from their creeks, lay their arms without properly considering reintegrating them back to the society. Not like Peter Odili style where arms were exchanged for money. It will amount increased access to more funds to buy more guns if there is no means of �re integration to normal life.
To return their Avtomat Kalashnikova (AK 47) for N350, 000.00, was not enough to make them leave the creeks. They will of course return those in bad condition and replace it with new ones again.
You have to show that there is genuine, full and meaningful involvement in the society.
We have given details on how this could be done and worked out through a youth employment scheme which we believe is an essential part of the DDR, if this is done and simultaneously with the withdrawal of the Joint Task Force, (JTF) to their barracks; we are not saying that they should leave the region, we are not saying that Niger Delta can survive without security, we are not saying there is no criminality and massively so in the Niger Delta. We are saying soldiers should be withdrawn to their barracks, there is crisis in Jos, soldiers are now in the streets of Jos, they were in the streets of Jos 14 months ago at the end of the crisis then they were withdrawn. So the Niger Delta case should not be different, we want the soldiers to return to their barracks in Port HHHarcourt, Warri and etc. what we don't want is soldiers stamping their feet around the streets, raping our girls, assaulting our women injuring our aged, and in many ways harassing our youths and therefore triggering flash points in Niger Delta. We believe that if these are done in addition of rebuilding of those cities destroyed in Niger Delta communities like Odi, Odioma, Ange, Elekalibari, Opuku and others as well as full resettlement of the people of Bakassi when this is done and people saw they are being cared for that government stood for their welfare and youths reintegrated and reoriented. We believe that even the communities and Niger Delta will work for peace and I want to assure Nigerians that within six months peace will fully return in Niger Delta.
On the implementation of the report?
We expected to hear what the President said during the presentation of the reports last week. Government said it would implement those things found acceptable to it. Immediately we started to receive responses from the creeks that government will renege from the recommendations in the report. But we believe that the president will be better advised with the new Secretary of Federal Government and National Security Adviser. They should advise him properly. Even in the quest to restructure power one of the major areas this administration will be judge upon, the Niger Delta will be key in gas supply or no power generated for the whole nation. We believe that President Yar' Adua will implement most of the recommendations of the committee. Expeditely because, we in the Niger Delta will keep lobbying and pressuring from all parts, regionally, nationally and internationally.
We are going to make it obvious that it will be good for Nigerians both in the short and long terms that those recommendations be implemented.
It will not be in the interest of Nigeria for those recommendations to be ignored.
On the clamour for the Sovereign National Conference (SNC)
In our recommendations, we proposed that Nigeria hold a SNC. The recommendation was broken down in tit bits and for different stakeholders both for the President and the National Assembly. We realized that Nigeria as presently constituted is an artificial creation that did not come through the will and arrangement of the people; even the first paragraph of our constitution is a basic deceit. We the people of Nigeria did not make any constitution; it came through a decree, Decree 19, of 1998.
We have agreed that SNC is the ultimate good for Nigeria to be fully restructured without that it can never work.
Meanwhile what we are saying is that before we agree to do the right thing. We are emphasizing on the issues of justice because that is basically what the whole thing is all about.
If you approach it from what is just, the development pace in the area will fall in line. We are talking about the developmental process, infrastructure and human capital development, we have not only outlined what should be done, we also identified fund sources which is unique; for example our foreign reserves.
We are talking about concerted development of the golden geese that laid the golden eggs. Good enough, two days after the submission of our report, the Federal government came out with the budget. We hope after reading the report, thoroughly they will change their position.
It was annoying that Federal Government is budgeting N24 billion for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) which it budgeted N84bilion for last year even then the Federal Government is owing the commission over N340 billion, who is fooling is fooling who? Mr., Ledum Mitee had during the submission of the report told Mr. President that the consequences of ignoring the recommendations of the committee could be far more destructive than any of us could imagine. I pray that Nigeria did not get to the retard path that it is heading to. If we continue to remain insensitive to the plights of the people of Niger Delta who are now being threaten by global recession as a results of gas flaring and all its fall outs, such that even a recent United Nation's report indicated that the whole of Bayelsa state could be submerged within 3- 5 years unless drastic measures are taken to bring about a change. So we are saying that we expect urgent priorities attention to the process. The Niger Delta Ministry for example must not be treated like ordinary Ministry. It should be at the very list in line with the Federal Capital Territory.
The FCT receives one percent allocation of all funds accruable to the Federal Government. Niger Delta Ministry should receive about 5 percent of all funds accruable to the Federal government and not just arbitrary allocation of funding. NDDC should not be allocated funding in budgeting, since it was established by a statues that gave it 15 percent of whatever income from the 9 States of the Niger Delta, how do they arbitrary came with N27 billion? Is that the 15 percent of the revenue of the entire 9 States of the Niger Delta. We are fighting against total abuse of the concept of Rule of Law; the Attorney General seems to be a believer of a rule of law that fits his definition. He is advising the President wrongly. We are in fact calling for his removal or stepping down. So far we are concerned that he had no way help in the respect of the rule of law, issues affecting the Niger Delta has been abused without recourse to the norm.
On the cracks in the committee
We had resolved to be together, if there are any cracks among us of course it is not unexpected for a committee of 46 members but our position is a consensus of all the members, though we disagree to agree on some issues.
On the next action after the submission of the report
We have resolved to remain as an informal implementation monitoring body not funded by the government. We as a committee resolved as a moral responsibility to see that our report did not go the ways of other reports. We are determined to make government bring out a white paper within one month of the submission; we expect that government should give to the people of the Niger Delta a New Year gift January 4.
President Yar'Adua should present a white paper on the recommendations that are acceptable by the government that will be implemented, when and how it will be implemented and he should state that clearly in a public statement or paper.

“The people who are trying to make this world worse are not taking a day off ….how can I? Light up the darkness!”--- Bob Marley
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Yar’Adua slashed NDTC’s NDDC recommendation by 300% —Senator Francis Okpozo

Written by Emma Amaize
Saturday, 13 December 2008
They are just postponing the evil day. Everybody who comes will just initiate a new policy to deceive the people and make them hope he will do much so as for them to pipe down and think the messiah has come. That is what we are seeing now with President Umaru Yar’Adua.
“From the beginning, I did not believe in the setting up of any committee because that is a technique those who have ruled this country employed to buy time for their regime.

No good leader has come to deliver the Niger-Delta, forget the claim by Yar’Adua that Niger-Delta is one of his seven-point agenda, as soon as they enter there, they forget Niger-Delta.

“From the beginning, we opposed the summit and rejected Alhaji Gambari. He now went to form a committee to look into the previous reports on the Niger-Delta. I warned that it was a set-up. Look at the N47.928 billion for the entire Ministry of Niger-Delta, that money cannot construct a road in the riverine area.

“The truth is that from all indications, the salvation of the Niger-Delta does not lie in the hands of anybody from the North or any other person from other parts of the country. Our destiny lies in our hands”, he said.

On what should be done with the committee’s report, he said, “The report should be studied to enable the government come up with its own blueprint on the Niger-Delta.

I think the committee recommended thrice what the NDDC was receiving only for Yar’Adua to slash it by more than 300 per cent. I don’t think this man means well for the Niger-Delta and we should tell him so.”

Northern oligarchy won’t let Yar’Adua implement NDTC report, Asu Beks, President, Ijaw Peoples Assembly

The 45-man NDTC headed by Mr. Ledum Mitee recently submitted its report to the Federal Government. Are you in support of the recommendations of the committee and what will you want the government to do with it?

Well, those of us who have been following the chairman of that Technical Committee, Mr. Ledum Mitee, have known him to be a very serious and focused person. And of course, they are other elements in that very committee that I can vouch for, who I know are competent even those some of us are opposed initially to the composition of that committee. But at the end of the day, they have proven to us that they are men of honour and people who are able to carry the interest of the Niger-Delta at heart.

Looking at the report, it is a fine thing they have done. The 25 per cent derivation, which they want to start with, the issue of creating more states and all that. But I think that what Mr. President had done is to continue to buy time.

If you look at what is needed to fund those recommendations, I think that the Northern oligarchy will stop Yar’Adua from implementing the recommendations and I want anybody who doubts my position to prove me wrong.

I say this because from available indices, Yar’Adua is not committed to the development of the Niger-Delta, it will take a person who is actually committed to the region to implement the recommendations and I don’t see such commitment in Yar’Adua. Like some of my friends would say, if you want to see how Friday will look like, may be from Monday through Wednesday and Thursday, you will know, in the case of Yar’Adua, it is obvious he is not committed to the Niger-Delta cause and that is why I have serious doubts as to how those things will be implemented, I have my doubts, it is a fine document, no doubt but I think Mr. President is not serious.

From the Sir Henry Willinks Commission report of 1958 till date, the worry has been that all the previous reports on the Niger-Delta were not implemented. What is your specific advice to the Federal Government at this point in time?

I think some of us have- if you watched- not been talking for some time; we are tired of talking because we are dealing with a deaf and dumb government, a government that does not want to listen. As bad as they claimed, the Abacha government was, as bad as they claimed the Obasanjo government was, this is even the worst government we have heard in recent history.

Abacha, as bad as they said he was, gave us Bayelsa state; as bad as people made us believe Obasanjo is, he gave us the Niger-Delta Development Commission. NDDC is functioning even though some of us have doubts about the operations of the commission.

But we also have this belief that if the NDDC is properly funded, things would have been better. However, in a situation where statutory funds to the agency is not given to it to operate, then how do you begin to apportion blames as to why the NDDC has not performed or otherwise.

I think that the Nigerian project in its entire piece is a failed project and so the earlier the people of Oduduwa, the Biafran people, the people of the Niger-Delta begin to go their way, the better for us because we are just deceiving ourselves.

Because if the President who tells us that the Niger-Delta is one of his seven-point agenda is not ready to put a kobo in the region from what we have seen from 2007 till date.... All we have seen that he had done was to send in troops, pump in billions and billions of naira into arms and ammunition to kill our boys in the name of trying to kill militancy.

I am using this opportunity to call on my fellow Niger-Deltans to tell Mr. President to please remove Niger-Delta from his seven-point agenda; he is not committed to the Niger-Delta cause. Perhaps, it is not even the fault of Mr. President, maybe it is the agenda of the Northern oligarchy, which is bent on making sure that they continue buying time so that one day, the oil wells will dry up and then, we will be faced with the ecological problems that will come from oil exploration.

I think it is high time we told ourselves some home truths: the President is not committed and of course, unfortunately for us, the biggest problem we have is our Vice President, who is just sitting there as a lame duck. He is just sitting there, perhaps waiting for Mr. President to die so that he will take over when you don’t even know your left from your right.

How are you going to rule this country? I think that we are wasting our mandate by keeping the likes of Goodluck Jonathan as our Vice President. It is a wasted mandate and the earlier we begin to look for alternative, the better for us.

Some people think that the President should have studied the report of the Ledum Mitee committee report and use it as part of his blueprint on the Niger-Delta in the 2009 Budget because he must have had pre-knowledge of the key recommendations before it was formally submitted to him. But he simply received it and from the way things are, it seems it will be kept in the cooler for now.

If you look back, you will find out that when President Yar’Adua came back from his Saudi Arabia trip, the Technical Committee was about to be inaugurated.

A day before the inauguration or a day after, I am not quite sure now, he announced the creation of the Ministry of Niger-Delta and of course, if he knew that he had that kind of plan, why did he not allow the committee to put that as one of its recommendations.

And looking at the issue of the Niger-Delta ministry, we know that it is one of the things the Action Congress Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar promised Niger-Deltans during his campaign if elected. So, you can see that the idea is not original to Yar’Adua.

Now, let me ask this question: What has the fact that a minister has not been appointed got to do with the take- off of the ministry over three months since it was created.

All we know is that this is Federal Republic of Nigeria. For God sake, if you create a ministry, you have to allocate a building to them, ask the Head of Service to begin to recruit the permanent secretary, directors and other civil servants that will work there while we are waiting for the Minister to be appointed.

So, we have seen that he is not committed to the Niger-Delta project because if he was, he would have waited for this report so that he can incorporate it.

Now, what is going to happen is this: he is going to take about two years for himself and the Northern oligarchy and perhaps, the National Assembly to begin to debate an aspect of the report and or that, and that will take about two years.
Before you know it, the first tenure of this administration is gone. He acts as if he has all the time in the world to do whatever he wants.

This is not correct. What’s the guarantee that we, the people of the Niger-Delta, are going to vote for his party, PDP next time? And who said that Nigeria, as a state is going to remain one in the next four years?

Nobody knows. We don’t believe.... I don’t believe and the boys are angry and with the way he is carrying on, how do we go and tell the boys in the creeks to bear with us that the PDP is working, that

Yar’Adua is working? What do we have on ground to show to them?

Yar’Adua’s non release of NDDC’s N300b is criminal

The refusal of Mr. President to release that N300 billion due to the NDDC is even a criminal offence. It is an impeachable offence; he has done the same thing in the 2009 budget. You mean that N27 billion is what the NDDC duly requires as per the 15 per cent? How did they arrive at the N27 billion? Now, the other aspect is who and who sat down? How did they arrive at even that paltry N47 billion allocated to the Niger-Delta ministry?

Did the Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan have an input? Did the Niger-Delta governors have any input? Who and who had input? It is the same Northerners. So if you allocated only N47 billion to the new ministry you created for Niger-Delta, how do you honestly
say that Niger-Delta is one of your seven-point agenda?

From 2007 till date, you have not put in a kobo for any infrastructural development project in the region. If we ask Mr. President to come round now, let’s say he should come to Bayelsa on a state visit, is there Federal Government he can point to on ground, same thing in Delta.

I don’t know of Edo, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River but I know that these are places where Mr. President does not have anything to say that he has done for the people. So, the earlier we begin to think of how all of us will go our separate ways, the better for us because Nigerian project is a failed project.

All of us should begin to find our ways before the oil wells dry up because when they dry up, we don’t know what will become of us.

VERBATIM

 

MEND ready to disarm, lists terms

From Kelvin Ebiri and RoseAnn Chikereuba, Port Harcourt
THE Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has assured of its readiness to disarm if a genuine peace and reconciliation process involving international mediators with United Nations (UN) recognition are put in place .
But it ruled out disarming within a six-month time frame.
The Chairman of the Presidential Niger Delta Technical Committee, Mr. Ledum Mitee, has expressed optimism that the Niger Delta crisis would be stemmed if the Federal Government genuinely implements the recommendations of the committee.
MEND spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, was reacting to the recommendations of the Mitee-led committee presented to President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua on Monday, suggesting the creation of a disarmament and rehabilitation commission to disarm and rehabilitate the Niger Delta militants within six months.
Gbomo told The Guardian in an interview that "if the right peace and reconciliation process involving international mediators with UN recognition is put in place, then we are ready to disarm; but not within a-six month time frame."
He continued: "MEND is willing to dialogue with a sincere government and a free Henry Okah representing us in such talks."
MEND declared that the terms of disarmament must start with the release of every militant in the government's custody starting with Henry Okah, who is standing trial for treason, followed by the replacement of the military with a re-trained police force with a new orientation to police the region.
Gbomo said: "Holding on to Henry Okah will never bring peace to the region but will worsen the situation. If that hypocrite, Obasanjo can travel to Congo to try reconciling the rebels with the government, then our government should be ready to embrace every one back if it genuinely desires peace."
On the Mitee committee's recommendation for an increase in the derivation fund to Niger Delta states from the current 13 per cent to 25 per cent, Gbomo said: "We believe in fiscal federalism as our goal. It is important that the region is given its due; nothing more and nothing less."
He said MEND did not have confidence that the government of President Yar'Adua would implement the report in a manner that would bring about lasting peace in the troubled Niger Delta.
But Mitee said the President has given the committee the assurance that their recommendations would not be dumped on the shelf like previous ones.
Mitee told The Guardian that inaction on the part of government in implementing the recommendations of the committee would further aggravate the situation in the Niger Delta and create instability in the polity.
"They should take this report not just as a report that should be on the shelf. It should be something that should be acted upon. Something pointing to the road map. The report highlights issues that have been long on the table, which we believe if dealt with might stem the problem in the Niger Delta," he said.
He continued: "It will not be a good thing to contemplate the consequence of inaction because this is a problem that is not just a Niger Delta problem or a national problem, but is international in all ramifications. "
Meanwhile, in a bid to tackle the negative challenges in the Niger Delta region, Christ Church Interdenominational has sent over 10 Bishops to the creeks of the region to preach and admonish the youths to desist from evil acts.
The Resident Pastor of the church, Richard Hart told journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday that the 70-year-old church had a vision to make the country a better place for people to stay.
Hart said: "The Church has been engaging the youths in the creeks with talks, we have sent consecrated bishops to the creeks and they have been there praying and appealing to the youths to leave the creeks and come out to turn a new leaf; we are getting positive responses from them."

Votes for NDDC, Niger Delta Ministry paltry, say Clark, others

4/12/2008

From Shola O’Neil Warri

President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua yesterday received knocks from Chief Edwin Clark and other Niger Deltans, who considered the funds provided for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs for 2009 to be small.

The President in the 2009 Appropriation Bill presented to the National Assembly on Tuesday announced N27 billion for the NDDC and N50 billion for the new ministry.

Leaders of the region described the fund as "paltry" and "incredible" , saying it was an indication that Yar’Adua was playing lip service to problems in the region.

The Ijaw National Leader, Chief Clark, expressed surprise that a government that claimed to be interested in resolving the issues in the region would make such announcement about the funding of the two bodies.

Clark, in a telephone interview with newsmen, said: "In the first place, I am just returning from the United Kingdom. On my way to Warri, I have been receiving calls from people on the N27 billion and N50 billion budgeted for the NDDC and Ministry of Niger Delta, respectively by President Umaru Yar’Adua. I could not believe what I heard is the amount earmarked for these agencies.

"In 2008 budgetary allocation, the National Assembly increased the NDDC budget to about N80 billion but that money was not released. This is ridiculous because this is a government that refused to pay the outstanding money due to the NDDC, amounting to over N300bn.

"We do not expect the Niger Delta Ministry to be treated like any other ministry. The N50bn is not enough to run its recurrent expenditure. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is receiving one per cent from all money accruing to the Federal Government. The new ministry should be given between three to five per cent.

On his part, Dr. Akpo Mudiaga-Odje said the paltry sum allocated to the ministry confirmed his stand on the need for a constitutional backing to guarantee better funding for the ministry.

Mudiaga-Odje wondered why the ministry should not be accorded similar condition in financing as the case of the FCT.

He accused the Federal Government of splitting the funds meant for NDCC with the ministry, adding that the money was inadequate to develop nine states.

"This is injustice because NDDC got N84 billion in 2008 and the two agencies are to be given about N77 billion in 2009. The outstanding NDDC’s N300billion was not paid. How do you expect the Niger Delta to spend N77bn in one year?

"It is a way of killing the NDDC and split its money with the ministry. It is a way of collapsing the commission. The Federal Government has said that the NDDC would become a parastatal of the ministry and this is a way of implementing the policy through the backdoor." Mudiaga- Odje said.

 

Trouble Looms In Yenagoa

December 03, 2008 16:04
By Okafor Ofiebor/ Yenagoa

Trouble is brewing in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, following protest by women against governor Timipre Silva’s administration, for lack of development in the state.

Mrs. Violet Ogun, the leader of the women who staged the peaceful demonstration, was, shortly after the protest yesterday, arrested by the police who accused her of staging a protest without police permit.

P.M.News gathered that governor Silva was embarrassed by the protest led by Mrs. Ogun, who is also the leader of an association, Host Community of Nigeria and Gas, and ordered her arrest.

During the demonstration, some of the women said despite the over N70 billion that had been borrowed by the state government, in addition to billions accrued to the state from federal allocation, no development can be seen in the state.

Although it was difficult confirming the arrest from Mr. Julian Okpaleke, the State Commissioner of Police, a close source confirmed the arrest of Mrs. Violet Ogun to P.M.News.

Meanwhile, sources said some of the youth leaders, who are also aggrieved, have reached out to prominent Ijaw leaders, including Chief Edwin Clark, to intervene and persuade governor Silva to release all the women arrested, or there would be mayhem in Yenagoa.

 

The Guardian

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

From Madu Onuorah, Abuja

Niger Delta panel seeks 25 per cent derivation
Open trial, bail for Okah
East West coastal road
Release of NDDC funds

FAR-REACHING recommendations to assist the Federal Government to attain lasting peace in the restive coastal states of the South-South have been made by the Technical Committee on the Niger Delta which submitted its report to President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua in Abuja yesterday.
The committee, which recommended immediate confidence-building measures to be implemented in the next six months, urged, among others, an increase in the derivation percentage for revenue sharing.
But President Yar'Adua pledged that his administration would "study and implement those recommendations that government finds acceptable from your report."
Chairman of the Technical Committee, Mr. Ledum Mitee, said while presenting the report at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa that the set of proposals to ease tension include: an increase of derivation from the present 13 per cent to 25 per cent and dedication of additional revenues largely to new infrastructure and sustainable development of the region;
open trial and bail for accused militant Henry Okah;
completion of the East-West Road with spurs to coastline;
payment of outstanding statutory funds owed to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) ;
disarming process for youths involved in militancy through creating the enabling environment and establishment of a credible Decommissioning, Disarmament and Rehabilitation (DDR) process;
establishment of a Youth Employment Scheme (YES) that will employ at least 2,000 youths in each local government of the Niger Delta states.
Yar'Adua noted that "the problem of the Niger Delta is a strategic problem for this nation. I have expressed the determination of this administration to confront this problem head on and ensure that we employ all means available to government to cope and partner with all stakeholders in an effort to solve this national problem. You have done a lot of work within a very short time frame and you have examined all previous reports and the methods you have followed within this short period available to you, I am certain which has resulted in our report that will take this process of resolving the problem in the Niger Delta successfully. I want to therefore assure you that this report will be studied by government and we will give our recommendations. And I have no doubt in my mind that your work will form one of those great efforts that will ultimately help this country to find a permanent solution to the problems in the Niger Delta."
Mitee stated that "the demonstration of political will in our view need be expressed also in terms of improved effective law enforcement with integrity that ensures that all identified highly placed persons engaged in sponsoring of violence for economic and political reasons are dealt with according to law."
He went on: "Although the problems existed and indeed was exacerbated before the current administration, but having voluntarily chosen to make the holistic resolution of the Niger Delta problem as part of its cardinal 7-point agenda, the challenge before this government is to break with past attitudes, for the credibility and thus success of the administration will be measured by if and how this problem is tackled. The consequences of failure are enormous especially in the light of the downward trend in oil process. Thus, we have included some details of the economic and human cost of the crisis in the region which for instance some $20.7 billion worth of oil revenue were lost to oil theft and vandalisation between January and September this year alone. Needless to add that that the nation stands to gain tremendously if we invest similar amount in the short run to guarantee peace and safer investment climate in the region."
Mitee noted that the low infrastructural development and acute employment has heightened an increasing feeling of frustration and burning sense of injustice on which has fed agitations which have recently been exploited by several actors for sinister purposes expressed in attacks on oil installations, kidnappings, ritual killings and other activities that have heightened insecurity in the area with the equally devastating economic impact.
He said: "It is in this light that this nation comes to terms that the issue we are confronted with is not a Niger Delta problem but a national, albeit international problem. Our conversations and reactions about the Niger Delta must necessarily therefore shift from what has become a more limited and negative scope to the extent that many are content to view the problems in the Niger Delta as a problem of the Niger Delta by the Niger Delta and for the Niger Deltans (to resolve by themselves).
"One clear thing that this report has done is to give time frame. For example DDR, we came up with recommendation that within the next six months they should complete initial steps that will support a disarming process of youths involved in militancy. The process will have to begin with some confidence building measures on all sides. The measures will include cease-fire from both sides, pull back of forces, open trial and bail to (leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta), Henry Orkar and credible conditions for people to do that. So, all the recommendations came with the short, medium and long term and responsibility parties. We didn't throw things at the federal government. We threw things at the state government, at the local government, community and the oil companies and each came with a definite time frame. One of the things we recommended to Mr. President is the demonstration of will, not just committing money and resources and infrastructure but also to tackle the issue as a government committed to the rule of law. If you find other prominent persons who are exploiting the situation, they should also be dealt with in accordance with the law. We have received favourable indications from both government and the militants that under favourable conditions there can be improvements. "
A member of the Technical Committee and a lecturer in the University of Port Harcourt, Dr. Youpele Banigo, told The Guardian after the presentation that the report "is comprehensive, dealing with political, economic and constitutional matters, identifying the vexing issues that directly affect the Niger Delta people, and recommending ways to solve the crisis in the region. I believe that if all levels (and institutions) of government, especially the Federal Government, resolve to accept and implement the Report, the raging war in the Niger Delta will disappear and the country will enjoy peace and prosperity."
But Banigo warned that the Niger Delta people were very wary of another recommendation that may not see the light of day, saying that "this may the last time they are prepared to participate in such event."
He said: "If by omission or commission the Federal Government fails to implement the Report, it will be a clear manifestation that the people of the Niger Delta belong to the wrong federation as perceived in the past, and the precipitating crisis will be of gargantuan proportion that will make the current instability in the region a caricature of intentions. The agitation might move at such a crescendo that could lead to the fragmentation of the country."
But he expressed the belief that "the government of President Umaru Yar'Adua will have the courage and the political will to patriotically implement the Report of the Committee because, this report is a concatenation of the previous reports and by implications; it is what the people of the Niger Delta have been waiting for. Therefore, I hope this report will not be subjected to unnecessary political gerrymandering and the core issues are addressed with immediacy."

 

Court Declares Arrest of American Illegal

From Victor Efeizomor in Asaba, 11.29.2008
A Federal High Court sitting in Benin yesterday said the arrest of a Nigerian and three American filmmakers by men of the Joint Military Taskforce is illegal and a breach of the constitution.
It also awarded the sum N5 million as damages against the Federal Government.
Men of the Joint Military Task Force had arrested Joel Bisina and three Americans who were in Nigeria for a documentary on the Niger Delta titled “Sweet Crude” on April 12, hound them to Abuja by road in the night before handing them over to men of the State Security Services who held them for about six days.
Bisina had approached the Federal High Court through his counsel, Dr. Bello Orubebe, praying for declaration that his arrest, detention and harassment without access to his counsel and medicare breached his fundamental human rights and asked for a cumulative damages of N15 million.
The respondents were the Attorney General of the federation, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Inspector General of Police, commander of the Joint Military Task Force and the State Security Services.

The presiding judge, Justice M. B. Idris in his judgment granted all the prayers by the plaintiff and held that the arrest and detention of Bisina was illegal unconstitutional and null and void, adding that the denial of access to medical personnel in it self also constitute bridge of fundamental human rights.

Idris also declared as unconstitutional, the demand for security pass by the military in the Niger Delta waterways and ordered the defendants to tender unreserved public apology to the plaintiff and also pay him a compensation for general damages to the tune of N5 million.

Orubebe, counsel to the plaintiff speaking to reporters, described the judgment as an erudite, well written judgment , noting that it was not just a land mark judgment but that it had taken human right judgment and practice to the 21st century .

The Federal Government had earlier lost a preliminary objection arguing that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter for non-compliance by the applicant with the provisions of Orders 2 rule 1(4) and Order 1 rule 2(3) of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 1979.

Orubebe counsel to the applicant had “urged the court to hold that the application is properly before the court, and that where there is a right, there is a remedy relying on the case of Omoyinwa Vs Ogubiju (2003).”

Idris in his ruling had held that “the applicant’s application is properly before this court…the objection taken by the 1st respondent has no merit and it is accordingly dismissed. No order as to cost.”

 

Sleepless And Speechless In Abuja And Other Cities - By Akintokunbo Adejumo

I have just returned from Nigeria , which of course is no news, and I also visited our capital city, Abuja . Abuja is arguably one of the most beautiful cities in sub-Saharan Africa . If we don’t want to go that far, then it is the only beautiful city in Nigeria . It has got much about everything that a modern city should have – imposing beautiful public and government buildings; private abodes with exquisite out-of-this- world architecture (most of these are actually castles or villas, and not just houses, as only the Nigerian rich can build); the roads are neat, wide and motorable; well-planned lay-outs; relatively good security; centre of Nigeria’s government, etc. But alas, somebody forgot to include an effective, cheap public transportation system for the common man - rail, buses or any other. As a Nigerian, I am always awed and proud of it, but with mixed feelings and reservations. I am always at a loss why no Nigerian government has ever considered replicating Abuja in other state capitals around the country. They would not, would they?

Abuja is a “planned city”, as it was mainly built in the 1980s and officially became Nigeria 's capital on 12 December 1991, replacing the role of the previous capital Lagos . As of the 2006 census, the Federal Capital Territory has a population of 778,567. Abuja is known for being the best purpose-built city in Africa as well as being one of the wealthiest and most expensive. The logic used for conceiving Abuja , by the Murtala Mohammed-Obasanjo military regime of the late 70s, was similar to Brazil building its capital Brasilia .

It is of course not my first or second time in this city built with the wealth Nigeria has gained from oil, and the sufferings of the people of the Niger Delta (Sorry to put a dampener on your sensitivities) . Indeed the residents of the real Abuja are not ordinary Nigerians. Whenever I visit Abuja , I could not but help being overcome with mixed feelings. One, and the positive thing, is that Abuja is a testimony to Nigeria ’s effort to be a modern state, and one that a Nigerian should be proud of. The second, and definitely negative of disheartening, is that Abuja represents man’s inhumanity to man, in all its ramifications. It is a testimony or evidence to the monstrous, contagious and murderous corruption of Nigeria . A testimony to the debilitating effect that corruption has had on us since the military took over governance of this country. It is the evidence of greed, insincerity, mismanagement and bad governance of our country. It embodies the desire and effort of the corrupt ruling class that have enslaved their people for decades. Look at it beyond the issue of beauty and modernity.

Every time I visit this city, and talk to people, it is always the same sense of futility and pessimism, and incidentally, these are expressed by both the ordinary Nigeria on the street as well as those in various levels of the society – civil servants, politicians, private and business people. All of them believe that the deliverance of this country is only by praying to God. They all believe, and these include those in Lagos , Ibadan , Ortukpo, Kano , Kaduna , Benin , Minna, Yola, Jalingo. Ogbomosho , Calabar, Sokoto, Ife , Ado-Ekiti, Warri, etc, that only God can save Nigeria .

Mind you, I am a fairly religious person. At least I believe in God, even if I don’t attend church regularly as my mother would have liked me to do, but I have a problem reconciling this “given-up” attitude of my countrymen that only God can deliver them from the evil cabal that is ruling them. They do not believe that they, as a people, can and have to do it themselves. And I am talking about even the people who should not be saying such things. I am talking about people, whose remit is to ensure the smooth running of Nigeria , either as civil servants, politician, military personnel, police, business people and the likes. One thing that comes to mind is that these same people are either being deliberately insincere with me and their countrymen and women, or they really do not know what to do. Either way, we all know it does not bode well for the country, and explains, almost graphically, why the country is in such a mess as we find ourselves in today, and in the future too.

On the other hand, such sentiments shows us to be pessimists and a people, at least those ordinary Nigerians, who have no other choice than to live and struggle it out in Nigeria, who have given up on the country itself and are convinced that Nigeria’s salvation can only come from God. Well, I agree that God can indeed save us, but I always ask them; have you heard of the saying that “heaven only helps those who help themselves”?

Abuja, being our capital city, is supposed to be an embodiment of Nigeria, and Nigeria, in all ramifications – culture, politics, socio-political development, a testimony to a country rousing itself out of the ashes of civil war, religious riots and ethnic rivalries, on its way to being a modern and developed country. But no, you cannot see all these and many features of political and democratic emancipation in Abuja . What we see is a vagrant display of stolen wealth, outright oppression, arrogance of power, unchecked political, governmental and moral corruption, neglect of fellow Nigerians and all the vices that have virtually destroyed our nation, and turned the majority of Nigerians into paupers and/or crooks.

Well. People tell me that the success of Abuja lays solely on ex-President Babangida, since it was him, more than any previous Head of State, who accelerated the building of Abuja and forced the civil service, the diplomatic corps, etc, to move into the partly-completed city in the 80s. I might begrudgingly accept that, but then it is no wonder that the city is decadent like its “accelerator”. What do we know? A lot of Nigerians made their money out of the building of Abuja , and are still making money, because the city is actually not complete and is still growing. All these to the grief of the Niger Delta people; no wonder they are aggrieved. Can you blame them?

However, it was for selfish reasons that IBB accelerated the building of Abuja . He made that decision shortly after the Orkah coup, in which he was nearly bushwhacked and killed. He surmised that Lagos , as the capital of Nigeria , was not safe for him, especially since he did not have plans to relinquish power for a long time, and made haste to retreat to the relative safety and proximity of Abuja to his Minna hometown as well as to the Nigerian Army facilities in the northern part of the country. Also he could exercise better control of the armed forces from Abuja , instead of the coup-hardened soldiers based in Lagos .

Abuja typifies some of the failings in our society which, according to Tunji Lardner, has enough for everybody’s need but not enough for everybody’s greed; a society where the greed (of the elite) most often surpasses the need (of the populace). You cannot be an ordinary citizen of Nigeria and live successfully in Abuja . The city is for rich, mostly corrupt Nigerians. All other people live on the outskirts of the city, called “satellite towns”, and come into the city to satisfy the whim and services of the rich. The ostentatiousness and pretentiousness of the city are overwhelming. The rotten smell and evil face of corruption are overpowering, nauseating and cannot be ignored, if you are not “one of them”. But Nigerians seem to love it that way.

Mind you, I am not against being rich. I would like, and work hard, to be rich too. Why not? I am just against corrupt enrichment. And that is what we have in Abuja . Babangida, and subsequent leaders of Nigeria to date, ensured that living in Abuja is beyond the reach of the majority of Nigerians; not that I want 140 million Nigerians to crowd into Abuja , but you know what I mean. If a plot of land costs between 30 and 40 million naira, what would you build on it, for example? You had better build a castle. The corrupt rich have cornered the real estate market. They have all the houses and the estates. Most of these are politicians and ex-military leaders and civil servants. Even the commercial properties are owned by them. In fact, anything that is not government property is probably owned by these individuals.

I cannot know or list them all, but here’s an example. There is a large expanse of building called Sigma Apartments (I forgot which street it lies) and I was told it is owned by an ex-Minister for Sports. See? That tells you why our football and other sports are spiraling downwards every day. Several high quality hotels, guest houses, shopping complexes and plazas are owned by ex-military officers and serving politicians. And these people do not own one, but several each. In most of the “big men’s” castles, you can count up to six exotic vehicles, while Abuja itself has no public transportation worth its name for the masses to travel in to and from work. Babangida forgot to include a mass transit or urban rail system in his master plan.

This rapacious land-grabbing and property-acquisitio n frenzy reminds me of Leo Tolstoy’s short story “How much land does a man need?” This was the story of a man, Pakhom who already had some land but went in search of more land, this time, freehold land, until he got to the land of the Bashkirs, where he was told he could take as much land as he could walk around in a day at the rate of a thousand roubles a day, but he must be back at his starting point everyday, by sunset. But Pakhom got greedy. He set out at dawn, grabbing long stretches of land, by the time he decided he had had enough land, and he embarked on the journey back, he had travelled so far and he was very exhausted, and ran back as fast as he could, but he couldn’t make it. He slumped and died. The Bashkirs were only sympathetic to his plight. Pakhom’s workman picked up a spade and dug a grave for his master - six feet from head to heel, which was exactly the right length - and buried him.

Tolstoy’s metaphor is a remarkable observation on the futility of human strivings, on the emptiness of avariciousness. In seeking to acquire more and more land, Pakhom ended up not having anything, including his life. (Obasanjo, you who are acquiring land left, right and centre, to expand Obasanjo Farms, take heed of this story, if you have not read it already)

Let the “owners and acquisitors” of Abuja grab as much of Abuja , and indeed, Nigeria , as they could. But what is the point? How many billions of naira do they need to steal? How many rooms can sleep all at once or how many cars can they ride at once. As the Holy Bible said, “what profits a man, who gains the entire world, but loses his life?”

It was while I was in Abuja that several Ministers were sacked from President Yar’Adua’s cabinet. One of them, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Moddibo, who has done virtually nothing since he was appointed in 2007, was said to be crying upon hearing of his sack. He replaced El-Rufai, who was actually his mentor, but whom he (Moddibo) later turned around to stab in the back. In the meantime, several of the sacked Ministers are already rich beyond their own imagination, just for being in government for less than 2 years. Meanwhile, the lobby to become a Minister is already on, but you can bet that our very own “Mr. Go-Slow” will take another few months before replacing the ministers.

Ah! The best news I have heard in a long time happened on Friday 7th November, when a source called me and told me that the so-called invincible, most powerful man in Nigeria sport for the past 17 years has been unceremoniously removed as the Director General of the Nigerian Sports Commission. Yes, Dr Amos Adamu; that most corrupt of civil servants in Nigeria finally met his Waterloo . He over-climbed the tree when he and others in the Local Organizing Committee for the2009 FIFA U17 World Cup embarrassed the country by inflating the cost of the games from N9 billion to N37 Billion. Can you imagine that? Goddamn thieves! They should be shot. But anyway, Amos Adamu, that Ogbomosho man who pretends that he’s a Northerner to further his career, was told to report to the Head of Service, for re-deployment. This is effectively the end of his civil service career. He should be happy; he is a billionaire civil servant; he is still in FIFA, CAF and he’s currently the President of WAFU. A few months ago, he publicly stated that he was conducting an investigation into corruption in Nigerian sports, and gave the committee he inaugurated 28 days to carry out their investigation and submit it to him. After over 6 months, we are still waiting for that report. He said a few years ago, that when he retires, he will become a priest. I wonder what he will preach to his congregation about corruption. Good riddance.

And another Ogbomosho man (please I don’t have anything Ogbomosho people, my mother was born and bred in that noble town) is riding rough-shod over Oyo State , basking in the glory of being the state’s chief executive officer, but actually doing nothing. He’s hardly spent a year in office, after one of the most rigged elections in the history of the state, nay, Nigeria , and he’s already planning for a second term (God forbid bad thing). The man, who many people are wont to say, is charming and friendly and a good man personally, if you get to meet him, recently spent a hundred million Naira on his daughter’s wedding. Don’t ask me where the money came from; your guess is as good as mine. The rumour is that all the 33 local governments and all ministries and parastatals were asked or coerced into donating this money. And meanwhile, go to Ibadan , the state capital, and you will be sorry you ever entered the ancient city which should have been one of the foremost industrialized, progressive, beautiful and most developed cities in Nigeria today. I am from the city, and every time I go there, there is really nothing that shows that this was a city that was the capital of the old Western Region during the premiership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the old Western State of Fajuyi and Adeyinka Adebayo, the old Oyo State of Jemibewon, Bola Ige, etc, and now the capital of the new Oyo State. Every other state capital carved out of the old Western Region have moved on and are seeing some kind of development or the other; but not my city of Ibadan , that used to be the military backbone of the Oyo Empire.

Forget about that former school teacher of mine, Lamidi Adesina and the naïve Rasheed Ladoja. The two were major disappointments, and after those two, what do you expect? Adebayo Alao-Akala, sacked policeman, who never expected to be more than a local government chairman, but became first, the deputy governor, and backed by the late godfather, Lamidi Adedibu, became the “execu-thieve” Governor of Oyo State. Such is the state of Nigeria today. With ex-convicts like James Ibori as governor of Delta State for eight disastrous years, state governorship has become a free-for-all. But then what about governors who are well educated and well-read like Agagu of Ondo State and Odili of Rivers State? Any difference between these people? No!!

Nigeria was not all that of gloom. The news of Barack Obama’s victory in the US met me in Jos. I was glued to my hotel room’s television all night. I need not say anything further on this. All I wanted to say have been said, and more, by thousands of writers and commentators, but the frenzy in Nigeria was probably unsurpassed by even the Americans themselves. Even Nigerian politicians were ecstatic, and it makes one wonder whether there is hope for us in that part of the world. A comparison between Nigeria and America ’s versions of politics and democracy is certainly food for thought for many years to come. The way Nigerians reacted to Obama’s victory is a vocal yearning for real democracy and progress in our country. We can only hope this will be replicated in 2011. Dare we hope?

In Lagos and Lagos State , only the blind will not see what Governor Babatunde Fashola is doing. The man has been a revelation, despite many people’s initial misgivings about the support he received from his predecessor, Ashiwaju Tinubu. People say Tinubu is still calling the shots, but the evidence is there that Fashola is showing the pace for all other states to follow. Again, I should not recount his achievements so far, but only to pray that God gives him the wisdom, the long life and good health to continue as he started.

All that said, I was in Benin City , Edo State to witness Governor Oshiomole’s inauguration and swearing-in. It was a victory for democracy and again a sign that our judiciary is not all that bad. Let’s leave it at that. In other states where elections results were put into question, such as Osun, Bayelsa, Cross River, Adamawa, Oyo, etc, there were indications that the Electoral Tribunals were greatly compromised and thereby delivered slanted judgments in face of overwhelming evidence of political rigging and corruption. Edo State and Oshiomole should give us another reason to hope that Nigeria is changing politically, and that while our political and democratic process might appear slow, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Well done to the Electoral and Appeals tribunal that oversaw this case. I wish the new Governor the best.

There are so many things I would have liked to bring out about my visit to Nigeria this time, but space precludes my doing so. Suffice it to say that my people are still suffering, corrupt ex-governors and other politicians are still roaming the streets and still dictating the tunes, current politicians are still embroiled in the mesh of corruption (the car scandal of the House of Representatives, etc). I even heard that a former Secretary-General of the Nigerian Football Association, NFA, has a hotel in South Africa; the Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor embezzled five billion naira (how he can do that without his boss’s knowledge beats my imagination) and the politicians and leaders are still pulling the wool over our eyes and trying to convince us that a dog is a monkey.

Finally, on the sacking of ministers, appointing new ones, and reshuffling President Yar’Adua’s cabinet, the sum total is Work Done Equals Zero. Nothing has changed or will change. If Attorney General Michael Aondoakaa does not go, Nigeria ’s fight against corruption is doomed to failure. The man is holding us up, let’s get rid of him. Times are no longer desperate for the corrupt; they are indeed basking and glorying in it in the glare of everybody. Even new Governors have devised new ways of corrupt enrichment, as was confided to me by a staff of the EFCC.

I say, let the truth be said always.

 

Fg Hands Over Alam’s Seized Loot Next Week

Soji Ajibola, Yenagoa - 29.11.2008

Confiscated property including physical and liquid assets amounting to 17million pounds of the erstwhile governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, will next week be handed over to the Bayelsa State Government.
Disclosing this in an exclusive chat with the Saturday Tribune at the early hours of Friday, Governor Timipre Sylva said all necessary arrangements had been concluded at ensuring the success of the handover by the Federal Government.
Some of the confiscated items as at the time of his arrest by the Metropolitan Police, London, include his house in London , Chelsea Hotel, Abuja , which he later claimed to have been bought on behalf of the state government and other property that spread across the globe.
The British government, prior to this period had promised to assist the Federal Government in its efforts to recover some of the property alleged to have been bought with the state fund.
Shortly after a successful operation in Germany , Chief Alamieyeseigha was arrested in London over an alleged money laundering running into millions of naira and was later alleged to have jumped bail in London.
Arriving the country, the embattled erstwhile governor was impeached by the members of the State House of Assembly, and was on the same day whisked away to Abuja for further interrogation by the operatives of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).
The erstwhile governor was later arraigned and convicted for money laundering , while his property, both at home and abroad, was confiscated.
Confiscation of his property has in recent times generated heated argument among not only the political class but the entire people of the state as they posited that since the money was allegedly stolen from Bayelsa State, it should be released to the government and ploughed back into the system for developmental projects.
This request now seems to have been granted as Chief Sylva has disclosed that property worth over N17m pounds would next week be handed over to the state government.

 

Deadly clashes break out in Nigerian city

By AHMED SAKA, Associated Press Writer – Fri Nov 28, 3:32 pm ET

JOS, Nigeria – Clashes broke out in a flashpoint Nigerian city after the first elections in a decade, leaving at least 15 people dead and prompting the president to send troops into the streets Friday.
Six mosques, five churches and countless homes were destroyed before the military retook control of the streets and imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the central city of Jos.
Eleven dead were given burial rites at the main mosque Friday afternoon and three corpses lay at the morgue in the central hospital, said a spokesman for the facility, Ishaya Pam.
He said there was a "high number" of casualties, and that 150 people were sheltering in the building for safety.
The riots were sparked after electoral workers failed to publicly post results in ballot collation centers after Thursday's vote, prompting many onlookers to assume the local government vote was becoming the latest in a long line of fraudulent Nigerian elections.
It was the first vote in the affected wards in over a decade, due to long-simmering tensions that made elections difficult to organize.
One policeman died late Thursday as authorities tried to disperse angry crowds, a police spokesman said. Riots flared on Friday morning, as irate youths set up roadblocks across the city.
President Umaru Yar'Adua, who came to power last year in a national vote that international observers dismissed as not credible, said in a statement he "feels very sad about the violence."
Political strife over local issues is common in this restive West African nation, where government offices control massive budgets stemming from the country's oil industry.
Violence has flared in the past in Jos, where Muslim herdsmen mix daily with Christian farmers, causing friction over land rights and religious creeds. Those divides mirror troubles in Nigeria's larger society, and crises in what is known as Nigeria's middle belt can spread to cities across both the Muslim north and Christian south.
Friday's events were the latest in a line of violence sparked by political discontent. Few Nigerian elections have been deemed free and fair since independence from Britain in 1960, and military takeovers have periodically interrupted civilian rule.
In southern Nigeria on Friday, a military spokesman said gunmen abducted a Scottish oil industry worker. Lt. Col. Sagir Musa of the military task force charged with calming the restive oil region said the assailants seized the man on Friday in the city of Port Harcourt. Musa said there had been no claim of responsibility.
More than 200 foreign workers have been kidnapped in nearly three years of rising violence across the oil-rich southern part of Nigeria. The hostages are normally released unharmed after a ransom is paid.
___
Associated Press Writer Bashir Adigun in Abuja, Nigeria contributed to this repo

Okah raises alarm, alleges threat to his life

Written by Ise-Oluwa Ige
Saturday, 22 November 2008

From a dingy underground cell in Bauchi, leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Mr Henry Okah, yesterday raised an alarm over his failing health, alleging that the Federal Government was planning to kill him.
Okah is facing trial alongside Edward Atatah, one of his associates, on a 62-count charge of treason and treasonable felony, terrorism, kidnapping, illegal importation and trafficking of arms and ammunition with illegal possession and storage of prohibited goods.
They were also accused of managing an unlawful society, incitement of soldiers and traitorous acts, all in an alleged attempt to topple the Federal Government.
Okah who released the information on the alleged stealthy plans to kill him to Saturday Vanguard through a source who preferred anonymity yesterday, wondered why the Federal Government wanted him dead before his trial began.
According to the source, “Even though he has worsening kidney problem which needs urgent medical attention in Pretoria, South Africa, they won’t allow him to go.
“Presently, he is kept in a dingy, six-by-six feet underground cell in Bauchi where they have satellite on him for 24 hours.
“From all indications, they want him dead. This is because they don’t want him to go for medication with a sole aim of breaking his spirit and killing him there.
“But they don’t seem to understand what they are doing. Okah is a powerful stakeholder in Niger Delta. You can’t keep him there indefinitely and be expecting peace in the Niger Delta region.”

“You cant resolve the Niger Delta problem while he is in detention. It is impossible.
“My fear is that if he is not allowed to travel to see his doctor in Pretoria , South Africa for medical attention, he might die in detention.

“And if he does, this country, I tell you, will be made ungovernable.

“I do not want to say more except to add that what has never been imagined would overrun this country if he dies in detention,” he warned.

It would be recalled that Okah was arrested in Angola last year September and handed over to the Nigeria Government on February 14, 2008.

He spent five months in custody in Angola without trial.

Ever since he was handed over to Nigeria , the Federal Government through the Federation Director of Public Prosecution, Mr Salihu Aliyu though had charged him to courts but has been frustrating all attempts to try him publicly.

Aliyu first dragged Okah before a Federal high court sitting in Abuja and applied for a camera trial for him before he discontinued the case and filed fresh charge at the Jos division of the same court for what he called security reason.

Besides the consistent move by the government to frustrate his quest for open trial, it has also stood against his traveling out of the country for medical attention even when it is aware that his health is degenerating.

Meanwhile, hearing in the appeal brought by Okah challenging the verdict of Justice Stephen Jonah Adah of the Federal high court, Jos, which okayed camera trial for him is expected to resume on December 4, this year.

Adah J was the administrative judge of the Abuja division of the Federal high court before he was transferred to Jos a couple of years back.

Mr Femi Falana is leading his colleague, Mr Wilson Ajuwa to set aside the camera trial verdict entered against Okah by Justice Adah.

Hearing would have commenced in the appeal during the week but for the sudden illness of one of the justices of the Jos division of the Court of Appeal scheduled to hear the appeal.

filename Okah November 21, 2008

Chevron suspends contracts after Nigeria pipeline attack

4 hours ago

LAGOS (AFP) — US oil group Chevron has suspended export contracts on much of its Nigerian production, it said Thursday, after industry sources reported a militant attack on a key pipeline.

Chevron said the declared force majeure was effective from Tuesday through December 31.

"This is due to a breach on the main onshore pipeline carrying about 90,000 barrels daily to Escravos," Chevron said in a statement.

Oil industry sources at the weekend said armed militants late last week attacked a pipeline operated by Chevron in Nigeria's southern oil hub.

The pipeline carries supplies to its Escravos terminal in the Niger Delta.

The US giant which operates the pipeline jointly with Nigeria's state oil firm, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), did not give details of the "breach".

"Necessary efforts are ongoing with all relevant stakeholders to evaluate the impact, repair the pipeline and restore production," Chevron said.

Chevron said the net quantity affected by the measure on the pipeline is 36,000 barrels per day.

The measure exempts a party from liability for failing to meet commitments due to circumstances beyond its control.

Later Thursday, the Nigerian military said it had foiled an attack by an armed group near the Escravos export terminal.

Brigadier Wuyep Rimtip, commander of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), a special unit deployed in the Niger Delta, said an attack by gunmen in 10 speed boats had been repelled.

"They came in 10 speed boats, we sank two of them and the rest escaped," he told AFP in a telephone interview from the oil hub.

Militant attacks on oil pipelines, other facilities and workers since January 2006 have cut Nigeria's daily production by more than one quarter -- falling from about 2.6 million barrels to about two million now.

According to OPEC figures, Angola has overtaken Nigeria and is now Africa's biggest oil producer.

Falling international oil prices have added to the sense of crisis in the Nigerian industry.

No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack. Armed militants in the Delta are demanding a greater share of oil revenues for local people and have stepped up attacks in recent months.

In June, militants blew up the Abiteye-Olero pipeline, forcing Chevron to cut around 120,000 barrels per day for nearly a month. On November 7, armed men attacked Chevron's Robert-Kiri flow station, killing a Nigerian navy rating.

Last week, Anglo-Dutch group Royal Dutch Shell said it had contained a spill caused by sabotage on its Adibawa delivery line in the southern Bayelsa state.

Oil prices tumbled on Thursday under 50 dollars, with Brent crude striking its lowest level for three and a half years.

Brent North Sea crude for delivery in January tumbled to 48.20 dollars a barrel -- last reached on May 24, 2005.

In New York, light sweet crude for delivery in December dived to 49.91 dollars a barrel -- the lowest level since January 18, 2007.

Oil prices have plunged almost two-thirds since striking record highs of above 147 dollars in July as a global economic slowdown dents world energy demand.

Nigeria, a member of OPEC which pumps about 40 percent of global crude, relies on oil for about 99 percent of its export earnings and about 85 percent of government revenues, according to the World Bank.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, bases its budget on a benchmark oil price which for 2009 has been set at 45 dollars a barrel, down from 59 dollars this year.

In recent years, oil has only contributed about 20 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) due to troubles in the Niger Delta.

 

Niger Delta Gunmen Seize Ship, Kidnap 10 on Board

Posted 17, Nov. 2008

Gunmen have hijacked a cargo ship in the Niger Delta and kidnapped at least ten people on board, a military spokesman said on Monday.

The attackers intercepted the MV Thou Galaxy late on Sunday as it sailed for Warri in Delta state, seizing the captain and others. The nationalities of those taken were not known.

Spokesman of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), Rabe Abubakar said he believed gunmen loyal to rebel leader Tom Polo, were behind the attack and that the Delta state government was trying to resolve the matter.

No group has claimed responsibility for the latest kidnappings.

The militants, who claim they are fighting for a fairer share of the wealth generated in the Niger Delta, home to biggest oil and gas industry in the African region, have bombed pipeline and oil platforms in recent years.

But the line between militancy and criminality is blurred.

Networks of armed gangs have taken advantage of the breakdown in law and order to steal large quantities of crude oil -- a practice known as "bunkering".

Some estimates put the amount of crude stolen from the Niger Delta at 100,000 barrels per day, worth around $5.6 million, or $2 billion a year, at current prices. It is shipped out of the country and sold on the international market.

One security source said the latest hijacking could be linked to the military's seizure of a vessel suspected of carrying stolen crude oil in the delta on Saturday.

The Navy arrested 22 Filipinos on board the MT Akuada in the waters off of Escravos in Delta state. The ship was carrying 12,000 tonnes of oil.

 

Obama: Asari-Dokubo slams political leaders

From FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa
Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Ijaw activist and leader of the Niger Delta Youth Volunteer Force (NDYVF), Alhaji Mujadid Asari-Dokubo has berated Nigerian political leaders for rejoicing at the election of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America.

Obama made history last Tuesday, emerging as the first Black to win the race to the White House and many Nigerian leaders, including President Umaru Yar’Adua, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and state governors sent their congratulatory messages.

However, Asari-Dokubo, in an exclusive interview with Daily Sun, wondered why the Nigerian political class should be happy over the historic victory instead of burying their heads in shame and crying for the miseries they had subjected Nigerians to.

He did not also spare the political leaders in other Africa countries especially President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya for frittering away the hopes of their people.
According to him, Nigerian political leaders and their counterparts in Africa should shut up as they had no moral standing to rejoice over the election in America because they represented the opposite of what Obama stood for.

He said while Obama emerged through a fair and transparent election monitored by people over the world, Nigerian political leaders emerged through questionable elections.
His words: “Since the election of Barack Obama as President-elect Nigerians have been happy because what they see in Obama they did not see in our leaders. It is shameful that our political leaders are also rejoicing instead for them to be sad.

“Look at the elections how it was conducted and how people were monitoring it step by step. Nobody chased anybody away, nobody disrupted the election. When 20 states were released, John McCain conceded defeat. But can that happen in the black land without violence? The Blackman is not only backward in science but in all ramifications.

“Look at Kenya where a man who stole votes to become President is declaring a public holiday because of the election of Obama. Is that not shameful? In Nigeria where we could not hold a credible election, our leaders are also sending congratulatory messages when they should be crying. Most of them are not qualified to be local government chairmen but holding prominent political posts.

“Obama’s victory is not for them (Nigerian political leaders) to rejoice but cry and bury their heads in shame. If Whites after buying Blacks as slaves would now allow a Blackman to rule them, then we should be weeping that up till now we Blacks are not able to hold free and fair elections in our lands. It is really a pity.”

On the efforts to develop the Niger Delta region, Asari-Dokubo dismissed President Umaru Yar’Adua as unserious about development in the region.
He said besides that Yar’Adua lacked the political will to bring development to the region, his administration was also insincere about policies for the region.
He also blamed former president Olusegun Obasanjo for encouraging criminal gangs to hijack the Niger Delta struggle, adding that the situation would remain irredeemable unless a Sovereign National Conference was convoked.

He said: “I have lost confidence in the administration of President Yar’Adua to develop the Niger Delta because he is not interested in bringing meaningful development to the region.
“There is no sincerity and political will that would bring change and with the active encouragement of Obasanjo for criminal gangs in the region when he was president, Yar’Adua cannot muster enough political will to reverse things. The criminals have taken over and we can no longer control them.

“The government is not sincere and the condition would continue to deteriorate because there is no vision to transform the region expect there is a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) where a path of development would be chart for the region.”

Militants ready to drop arms, says Horsfall

11/11/2008

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt
Armed militants in Rivers State have now indicated their desire to sheath their swords.
This hint was dropped by Chief Albert Horsfall, Chairman of the state Rehabilitation Committee when he spoke in Port Harcourt on the progress recorded by his committee.

Horsfall said quite a number of militants have expressed their willingness to lay down their arms and be reintegrated into normal lives, but insisted that their safety and security must be guaranteed.

This desire to drop their arms, Horsfall explained, is cheery as it is in line with the mandate of his committee which is to get the armed youths to drop their guns, reconcile them with their communities and give them a new sense of direction.

To achieve this, the Rehabilitation Committee chairman said his group working with support from the state government would establish a Social Development Institute in Okehi area of the state to give initial re-orientation to those who would turn themselves over for rehabilitation.

The repentant militants, he said, would be taken to the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre in Jos, Plateau State to develop their skills and upon return, they would be separated to areas of their basic training.

The basic training areas he explained, would be driving, auto repairs, fittings, fishing and even normal academic life as some had expressed the need to go back to school.

Horsfall, who is also the former boss of the defunct OMPADEC, said: "We will also on a regular basis receive, re-orientate and train these people as they continue to make themselves available."

He lambasted critics of his committee, who had accused them of lying dormant, saying that "such people do not understand the enormity of the task before us."

What appeared like delay in the work of the committee, Horsfall said is because his team initially wanted to wait for the conclusion of the sittings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

He said with the extension of the life span of the commission, it was imperative for his committee to begin its own job.He added that since July when his committee was inaugurated, it had planned programmes and effectively assessed the situation of things on ground to avoid the pitfalls that bedevilled earlier attempts at solving militancy in the state.

According to him, "our aim is to rout out militancy in its entirety. We are confident that with the plans and programmes and the support of Governor Amaechi, who has declared zero tolerance for militancy and cultism, we will soon have a peaceful state.

 

Niger Delta Deserves More From PTDF, Says Amaechi

By Kelvin Ebiri
The Rivers State Governor, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has bemoaned a situation, where indigenes of the Niger Delta states are not adequately availed the opportunity to benefit from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) scholarship scheme.

He has also challenged multi-national corporations operating in the state to begin to give priority attention to job and wealth creation in order to discourage youths from engaging in criminal activities.

He stated shortly after he officially teed-off the 2008 Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Rosebowl Golf tournament, at the golf section of the Port Harcourt Club 1928 in Port Harcourt yesterday.

The governor urged the NNPC to do something imperatively to revert the imbalances in the PTDF development plan in favour of oil producing states as the prevailing circumstance was completely negative and disadvantageous to the Niger Delta.

The Ethnic Nationalities in the Niger Delta (ENND) had condemned in its totality the 2008 scholarship awards by the PTDF, wherein the Niger Delta region, whose resources finance the grants were offered only 14 out of 101 awards.

Amaechi argued that some of the youths that are engaged in criminal activities kidnapping and other vices might have been doing so, as a way of sourcing for funds for their education in tertiary institutions because they lack legitimate opportunity to fend for themselves.

"Some of these criminals in the creeks are students of tertiary institutions who have trained to do the bad job, if they survive they go back to school with some money", he said.

He note that hunger and greed cannot be entirely ruled out as reasons for the criminal activities of youths, but he argued that, when opportunities are not created for the youths they are bound to be resistance.

Amaechi said the youths, who are responsible for the precarious security situation in the region would not be carrying guns, if they had food to eat, fees for school and good jobs that would earn them good remunerations.

He appealed to the multinationals operating in the state to do things that can improve the lives of the Niger Delta people and make them equally wealthy and beneficiaries of their God endowed resources.

Amaechi, who have maintained a tough stance against criminals involving in kidnapping, sea piracy and other illicit activities, observed that the security situation in the state has improved remarkably. According to him, the hosting of the golf tournament was an indication that security measures put in place by government was restoring sanity to all parts of the state.

The State Commissioner for Employment and Empowerment, Mr. Emmanuel Chinda, had last week solicited the cooperation of Shell in combating militancy and other acts of criminality by providing employment opportunities for the teeming qualified graduates from the state.

But a Shell official in the Human Resources department, Mr. Jide Bajuiaye, said Shell faces a major challenge in recruiting people from the Niger Delta because of the quality of education and extreme low response to employment advertisement.

Bajuiaye, who described majority of Shell's workforce as mainly technical, explained that the dearth of technical skill and competence of graduates from the Niger Delta and other parts of the country leave much to be desired.

Shell, according to him, would want to see government 's dedicated investment in quality education and also guarantee long term funding of education.

In addition, the company urged the state government to immediately revisit issue of reviving the nation's primer Rivers State University of Science and Technology, which was established to meet the manpower needs of the oil and gas industry.

Bajuiaye also said, in order to make people from the region employable, Shell has been awarding scholarships, carrying out intensive training programmes, internship and overseas campaign to repatriate qualified Nigerians and people from the Niger Delta to the country.

Bonny people in diaspora storm Eso panel to protest killings

1/11/2008

Akanimo SAMPSON Bureau Chief, Port Harcourt

THE Bonny people of Rivers State in the Diaspora have stormed the Justice Kayode Eso-led Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), protesting the violent conflict in the sprawling commercial island that has claimed hundreds of lives. They traced its root in graft within the community leadership.
The people under the umbrella of Bonny Island Foundation in the United States and Canada, said in a memorandum to the Eso panel that they were aware of the various submissions concerning the crisis on the island which is home to Nigeria’s multi-billion dollar Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant.

A soft copy of their petition which was made available online to our correspondent within the week by the President of the foundation, Prof. Adango Miadonye, said, ‘’we as stake holders and indigenes of Bonny in diaspora feel concerned and are worried about the state of affairs in our homeland. In our open letters dated November 7th 2007 and January 4th 2008 to Governor Rotimi Amaechi, we appealed that measures should be taken to tackle attitudes and policies that encourage militancy amongst our youth’’.

They said: ‘’The petition is to try to identify the root cause of the problem in Bonny. The problem in Bonny is caused by a malignant condition called corruption. The condition manifests in many ways, chief amongst which are persisting, crushing, and endemic poverty in Bonny in the midst of plenty; political and economic marginalization of our people despite promises to the contrary, and empty promises about dialogue; absence of infrastructural development on the Island, and no serious initiative to address underdevelopment on the Island; dispossession of the many by a tiny parasitic and unproductive few in Bonny; and resort to intimidation, coercion, and repression of the many by the tiny privileged few, worried by the prospect of losing their illicit, illegal, immoral and obscene way of life that is sustained by ill gotten wealth’’.

They added: ‘’We make bold to say that injustice, deprivation, marginalization, coercion, intimidation, and cronyism is fuelling the anger in Bonny. After years of fruitless efforts to redress this anomalous situation through constitutional means, the youths in Bonny have resorted to armed rebellion. This desperate move by the youths is wrong and regrettable, even though we know they are frustrated about the status quo. Their frustration has given rise to the phenomenon called Okoloama Ikpangi, a rebel group. This phenomenon is alien to the culture and philosophy of Bonny people. It is a creation of years of exploitation and injustice.

‘’The Bonny Island Foundation is happy that by providence, Governor Amaechi found it worthwhile to establish the Rivers State Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We are gratified that the commission has shown sincerity of purpose and unbiased approach in their efforts so far in reconciliation and restoration of peace in the communities in our beloved state".

Amaechi, according to them, set the pace by appearing before the Eso panel, and thereafter several prominent Rivers indigenes including former governor, Dr. Peter Odili, have appeared before the commission, for the sake of truth, reconciliation and sustainable peace in Rivers.

‘’In the light of the various submissions concerning the crisis in Bonny before you (Eso panel), the Bonny Island Foundation will like to proffer ways in which lasting peace can be found and maintained in Bonny as follows:-

"*The Truth and Reconciliation Commission should seriously consider and investigate all allegations brought before it, and to push for a comprehensive solution to the problem in Bonny.

"* The problem in Bonny is complex, but this is the time to engage the various stake holders on the Island. Everybody should be encouraged to present their views to the commission.

"* The commission should encourage a de-emphasis on the use of force (legal and illegal) in trying to solve this problem, but rather call for more communication and dialogue among stake holders across the community to bring every body together.

"* Call for the repatriation of funds stolen from the community, back to the community.

* Avoid applying legal sanctions on people deemed to have misappropriated funds, as the goal is not an attempt at witch-hunt, but an attempt to bring lasting peace to our community.

* Encourage our youth to abandon the path of armed rebellion, as this will not do anybody any good. It is our belief that the youths have made their point, and that they should sheathe their swords and embrace peace."

__._,_.___

The Submission of the Joint Revolutionary Council (Comprising the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta MEND, The Reformed Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force & The Martyrs Brigade to the Niger Delta Technical Committee.

------------ --------- -

1. Sovereign National Conference Vs Resource Control

Our demand for a Sovereign National Conference is irrevocable and non-negotiable. This demand is based on a sincere appraisal of the problems that plague the various ethnic nationalities that were forcefully conscripted into this dubious enterprise called Nigeria.

Each ethnic nationality must be allowed to decide if and whether they would like to continue in this uneventful and retrogressive sojourn within the Nigerian state.

Ijaws especially have had a very painful experience within the enterprise called Nigeria. A truly painful one driven not only because of the insincerity of the Nigerian state towards resolving the Niger Delta question but also due the lack of real and structured leadership amongst the people of the Ijaw and Niger Delta territory.

Leaders of the region have continued to fall prey to cheap and cunning bargains from the forces that lord over the Nigerian state. They get easily lured by flimsy carrots dangled before them. Yet they always miss out from the real pie. Go and find out how many people from the Niger Delta have oil lifting rights or marginal field of strong commercial value.

It is therefore crucial and critical that a Sovereign National Conference be convened so that all people especially from the Niger Delta will sit down and decide if they want to continue to this contraption called Nigeria.

2. Amnesty and Henry Okah Vs Peace and Rehabilitation

On behalf of all people of the Ijaw and Niger Delta territory with particular emphasis on those of us who chose that path of armed agitation against the Nigerian state, we demand herewith, an unconditional release of Henry Okah from the gallows of the Nigerian state.

There can be no true peace in the Niger Delta without the release of Henry Okah. To achieve this peace, select Ijaw and Niger Delta elders and stakeholders will be appointed to broker peace between Ijaw Leader Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari and Henry Okah.

Together, these two will build a process that will establish peace in the Niger Delta within a span of two weeks. They will be mandatorily provided every support they require by all the governments of the Bantustan states of the Niger Delta and will be given the unction to access and monitor efforts by the Nigerian state to bring development to the people of the Niger Delta.

Peace will come when the Nigerian state recognizes the need to give to our people what our people deserve. We have been cheated for too long.

Rehabilitation is a systematic process. Given the right response from the Nigerian state and those that lord over it, the process will run itself without inhibition.

3. Accountability in government Vs Corruption

Corruption had eaten deeply into the fabric of the Nigerian state. The worst type of corruption that plagues the Nigerian state today is that of political corruption. Political corruption is far worse than every other because it acts as a catalyst for every other kind of corruption.

Umar Yar 'Adua for instance, is the product of an intensely corrupt political process which deprived the citizens of the Nigerian state of their rights to choose a leader. We should therefore expect that there is a limit to which Yar'Adua can go in fighting corruption in Nigeria.

For instance, we believe that it would be impossible for YarÁdua to convict corrupt ex-Governors who contributed billions to his election campaign.

As long as those that are called upon to lord over the Nigerian state continue to be products of a corrupt political system, the Nigerian state will continue to be home to the different shades of corruption that exist on God's earth.

Political corruption remains the foundation of financial, moral and process corruption. It is the godfather of them all.

Political corruption is a core reason for the current unrest and underdevelopment in the Niger Delta because of the imposition of unacceptable, unpopular and dishonest leaders on the people of the Niger Delta through fraudulent elections and dubious selection processes. The same thing goes for the appointment of ministers for ministries and other officers for parastatals and agencies. Too much incompetence is destructively heating up the polity

Corruption cannot be removed from the current polity until the Nigerian state gets its political system right and acceptable leaders are elected or appointed to positions of authority, privilege and power.

The political process must therefore be completely overhauled. We do not believe that the current people in government can have the boldness to confront the current situation as it is.

4. Environmental Integrity Vs Pollution

Our environment continues to be destroyed everyday by the criminal activities of oil and gas exploitation and exploration without strict conformance to acceptable international standards. Farmlands and creeks continue to bear the brunt of these activities.

In dubious collaboration with the government of the Nigerian state, Oil and gas companies have developed a structured system to intimidate, harass and assault community people who dare to rise up against them.

With little provocation, oil producing communities are razed down by armed soldiers of the Nigerian state.

We do not believe that the current government has enough sincerity to deal with the situation. They are being held hostage by Big Oil and dubious people in government who reap millions of dollars every year from bribes and kick-backs.

However said, the government of the Nigerian state must enact a law then and then effect an immediate ban on gas flaring. It is killing our people. It is giving us acid rain which destroys our waters, sea-life, housings and farmlands.

Punishment must be meted out for those whose facilities cause oil spillage. Most of the oil companies operating in the Niger Delta carry out their operations with standards that are far different from the kind of standards they operate by in their homelands. They say their goal is to cut costs.

They refuse to provide structured and timely maintenance of oil production facilities and allow these equipments decay and rot. These decay in turn causes in facility failure and results in spillages.

5. JTF Vs Militants..Ogomudia

Many people agree that brigandage has crept deeply into the current unrest and armed agitation in the Niger Delta just the same way as financial recklessness has crept into the affairs of those who claim to have been given the mandate to govern their people.

The Joint Task Force is not any different. Today, they have become an added burden on the communities and societies over which they were called upon to police and administer peace and security.

More than 70% of the soldiers deployed under the JTF tag are themselves worse brigands than the so-called criminal elements that they were called upon to check. Most of these soldiers are very poorly educated and heavily unschooled in the art of peace keeping. Many of them are criminals who have infiltrated the armed forces of the Nigerian state the same way 'criminals' have infiltrated the ranks of the heroic combatants of the Ijaw and Niger Delta struggle.

Let it be known that most members of the Joint Task Force are gun runners, oil bunkerers, petty thieves and not peace and security keepers.

Evil begets evil. As long as the Nigerian state continues to deploy criminal elements as members of JTF, peace will elude the Niger Delta for violence will always beget violence.

We demand therefore a total withdrawal of the Joint Task Force from our region and a replacement with properly trained and equipped law enforcement officers.

6. Criminality

There are criminals everywhere. The best way to deal with criminality is through cleansing. What the Nigerian state needs today is total cleansing which must start from the top.

From the criminals who rigged elections by stuffing and stealing ballot boxes to those who were elected by such processes and those who steal and misappropriate billions from the coffers of government, criminality is criminality and should be punished.

What we have in the Niger Delta today is a case of Criminals in uniform and criminals in the creeks. Bandit soldiers who rape and assault women, extort monies and personal properties from wayfarers, bully innocent people, engage in oil bunkering, sea piracy and gun running etc.

7. Ijaw and Riverine dichotomy – Willinks Commission

We believe that the leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Conference of Ethnic Nationalities in the Niger Delta have already made submissions in this regard.

Their submissions stand.

However, let us remind ourselves that the special status that was recommended by the Willinks Commission for the Ijaws in the Niger Delta and their Ogoni brothers as a result of their peculiarly difficult terrain has now been bastardized into a 9-state Niger Delta Development Commission thereby diluting the efficiency of planned interventionist programs leaving the Ijaw territory largely underdeveloped.

We demand therefore that the Special Status recommended by the Willinks Commission for the Ijaw territory be immediately declared.

8. Underdevelopment

With all its wealth, the Niger Delta today is much too underdeveloped with the Ijaw territory being the most affected. We cannot add anything more but demand that the Technical Committee work towards ensuring that past reports be immediately acted upon without delay.

The Willinks Commission Report must be interfaced with the more recent Ogomudia Report to ensure the deployment of timely, strategic and people driven intervention measures and not the phoney programs and policies that we have witnesses in time past.

To fast-track development in the Niger Delta region especially in the much challenged Ijaw territory, we demand therefore the following:

· Jobs & Businesses- Communities in the Ijaw and Niger territory should be given stronger participatory roles in the oil and gas industry. This will strengthen the creation of jobs and establishment of more businesses across the region.

Such participatory roles include; recruitment of more indigenes of the Ijaw and Niger Delta territory, award of oil industry contracts to qualified businesses owned by Ijaws and Niger Deltans.

Ijaw businesses must be allowed to reap from the tremendous windfalls that abound in the oil and gas industry.

Oil lifting rights and ownerships of oil fields must be provided to any interested indigene of the Ijaw and Niger Delta territory who demonstrates a competency to deliver on stated and expected objectives.

While the Otedolas, Dangotes, Kase Lawals, Danjumas and many other non-Niger Deltans have been richly compensated and have become billionaires with our oil wealth, our people remain largely shortchanged. This trend must be stopped immediately. Our oil must be used to build our people. There will be no need for oil exploitation in the Niger Delta if our oil will continue to be our curse.

Let us remind ourselves that Ijaws who are occupiers of the major riverine areas where oil and gas exploration and exploitation activities take place have been rendered jobless as result of the destruction effect of exploration activities and the toll it has taken on their core occupation which is fishing and farming.

This loss of jobs remains a key motivator of the current unrest in the Ijaw and Niger Delta territory. It would therefore be expedient that Ijaws be given strong consideration in recruitment and appointment into the oil and gas industry.

This demand cannot be negotiated. It is a prerequisite for lasting peace in the region.

· Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) – We demand that the Petroleum Technology Development PTDF and its operations including award of scholarships should be an exclusive preserve of the people of the Ijaw and Niger Delta territory whose lands bear the oil and gas resources whose proceeds fund the program. The current structure of the PTDF is wholly defective and a slap on the face of the people of the Ijaw and Niger Delta territory.

It is atrocious to challenge the funds generated from petroleum resources harvested from the Ijaw and Niger Delta region to cater from other regions except there is a surplus. For now, there is none. There are too many ill equipped schools in the Niger Delta and too many families who cannot provide good education for their children and wards. This evil must be corrected immediately.

Proceeds from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund should be wholly channeled to upgrading the quality of education in all the nooks and crannies of the Niger Delta.

All universities in the Niger Delta must be brought to world class standard. All qualified students of the Niger Delta should be given immediate scholarship to any university of their choice in any part of the world and more vocational centers must be established with funds from PTDF.

Anything less will not be accepted.

 

High Cost Of A Deadly 'Oil War'

35 People Killed, Scores Missing
7 Villages Attacked, 77 Houses Burnt
Millions Worth Of Property Destroyed
JTF Video Shows Soldiers Setting Buildings Ablaze

From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt

http://punditz.typepad.com/niger_delta_solidarity_gr/2008/10/high-cost-of-a.html#more

Technical committee assures Niger Deltans

An interview with foremost Ijaw activist Youpele Banigo

http://punditz.typepad.com/niger_delta_solidarity_gr/2008/10/technical-commi.html

INC, MEND faults JTF fresh attacks on militants

From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt
IT was knocks yesterday for the Joint Task Force (JTF) as the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) condemned attacks on two suspected militant camps in Rivers State.

INC President, Professor Kimse Okoko, described Tuesday's aerial attack on the camps of the Niger Delta Patriotic Force (NDPF) and Niger Delta Vigilante (NDV) as preposterous, particularly at a time when leaders in the region were still trying to prevail on the militants to give peace a chance.

The JTF Commander, Brigadier General Sarkin Yarkin Bello, had on Tuesday insisted that the military has a responsibility to ensure and maintain internal security, hence would not relent from checking the activities of all militants in the state.

Okoko told The Guardian yesterday that the decision of the JTF to commence bombardment of suspected militant camps barely 48 hours after MEND announced a cease-fire, was a clear indication that some section of the military did not want the crisis resolved.

"The action of the JTF confirm what we have been saying that JTF has a different agenda which is not an agenda of peace but an agenda to plunge this country into deeper crisis. We are calling on the Federal Government to disband the JTF in the overall interest of the country," said Okoko.

The INC has meanwhile appealed to the militants to refrain from acts capable of stalling the Sunday cease-fire declared by MEND after seven days of intense attacks on the nation's oil installation which forced Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to declare force majeure last Friday.

However, MEND spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, said the though the unilateral cease-fire it declared on Sunday was still on course, the military and oil companies would soon witness another spate of attacks at an appropriate time.

 

Niger Delta activist berates ACF chairman

By Emerson Gobert JR.

http://punditz.typepad.com/niger_delta_solidarity_gr/2008/09/niger-delta-act.html

ALLEGED TERRORISM: THE CHIEF OBOKO SAGA ANOTHER AMERICA THEIR AMERICA

BY EKANPOU ENEWARIDIDEKE

http://punditz.typepad.com/niger_delta_solidarity_gr/2008/09/alleged-terrori.html

MEND declares ceasefire in Niger Delta

From Kelvin Ebiri (Port Harcourt),
Tunji Omofoye (Osogbo) and
Seye Olumide (Lagos)
AFTER one week of sustained attacks on oil facilities in Rivers State, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has announced a ceasefire following intervention by some Ijaw leaders in the Niger Delta.
Meanwhile, the Joint Task Force (JTF) whose attack on MEND bases and seven Tombia communities penultimate Saturday triggered militant attacks and the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) have welcomed the development.
MEND spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, yesterday announced that the militants who had attacked over six oil and gas facilities belonging to mainly Shell Petroleum Development Company and Chevron since September 13 have decided to downgrade the oil war code-named 'Hurricane Barbarossa' to a state of alert code-named "Tropical Storm Vigilant."
His words: "After one week of intense lopsided fighting and an unprecedented sabotage on the oil industry prompted by an unprovoked attack on one of our positions, including indiscriminate attacks on civilian communities, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) will downgrade the oil war code-named Hurricane Barbarossa to a state of alert code-named "Tropical Storm Vigilant."
Gbomo explained that MEND's cessation of hostility was due mainly to intervention and passionate pleas by Ijaw leaders like Chief Edwin K. Clark, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, Senator David Brigidi and no others.
According to Gbomo, "Effective 0100 Hrs, September 21, 2008, exactly one week we launched our reprisal, MEND will begin a unilateral ceasefire till further notice. During this time, the International Red Cross alone will be allowed access to retrieve the bloated floating bodies of several soldiers to avoid an epidemic."
MEND explained that it decided to stop further attacks even at a time of victory over the military and alleged utter helplessness of the oil companies operating in the Niger Delta. MEND, however cautioned that it only speaks for itself and would not vouch for the other angry groups that aligned with it during the one-week of persistent attacks on oil facilities.
He said: "We hope that the military has learnt a bitter lesson. The next unprovoked attack will start another oil war that will be so ferocious that it will dim the pleas of the elders. That blood oil war will come in the form of another hurricane and its devastation and mode of operation will be different from what was seen with Barbarossa."
The country may have been losing about 300,000 barrels daily of its crude oil output following MEND attacks. Due to the severity of the attacks, Shell was forced to declare force majeure on Nigeria's oil export.
JTF spokesperson, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, described MEND's gesture as good for the militants, the Niger Delta region, the nation and the international community.
He explained that the military was disposed to the amicable resolution of the crisis in the region and would continue to monitor situation on ground to ascertain that MEND was genuine.
According to him: "At the JTF level, we will continue to carefully and firmly monitor the situation, exercise limited level of restraint until MEND's new position is seen to have been actualised. We are open to the amicable resolution of this in-house crisis, hoping it is not going to be another tactical deception, which we are used to and are already prepared to contain."
Similarly, Prof. Kimse Okoko has lauded the militants for heeding to the pleas of Ijaw leaders and well-meaning Nigerians.
The Ijaw leader, who had bemoaned the JFT's action that triggered the week-long crisis, has urged the military to reciprocate MEND's gesture by halting all military offensives in the region.
According to him: "Military bombardment is not the way to resolve the crisis in the Niger Delta; if you kill all the militants now, others will rise up. Even if you bomb all the militant camps, others will rise up for sure."
Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Osun State Governor, has also appealed to militants in the Niger Delta to sheathe their swords in the overall interest and development of the zone.
He said the problem of the area was receiving more attention by the Federal Government with the creation of a separate ministry by President Umaru Yar'Adua to cater for the special needs of people in the area.
Speaking yesterday at an event tagged "2008 Veteran Walk for Peace" in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, the governor noted that the much desired development in the area would be difficult to achieve in view of the renewed violence and called on the militant groups to give peace a chance.
The governor also called on leaders in the area to use their position by prevailing on the militant groups to toe the path of peace to enable the Niger Delta Ministry function properly and fulfill its mandates.
And the new High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, Mr. Mahesh Sachdev, has suggested speedy social development plans of the Niger Delta as a way to bring a quick solution to ongoing crisis in the area.
He also suggested solid empowerment programmes that could translate into viable employment opportunity for the youths with transfer of technology and infrastructural development.
Speaking during a reception party held in his honour at Victoria Island, Lagos, by members of Indian Universities Alumni Association, Lagos over the weekend, Sachdev noted that India was much concerned about the Niger Delta crisis and is ready to assist the country in anyway possible that would bring lasting solution to the issue.
"My view is that the restive youths should be empowered while massive infrastructural development with transfer of technology should be put in place," he said.
The High Commissioner described the relationship between the two countries as a very cordial one that has translated into solid economic, social and political development over the years.
"Nigeria-India relationship is an excellent one that is based on shared values. It has translated into viable economic, social and political partnership. I can say that our relationship with Nigeria is one of the best all over the world. The two communities have come to appreciate each other with cultural values."
The President of the alumni, Mr. Moses Omorogbe, in his speech enjoined the High Commissioner to encourage India to join other nations in further exploring into the Nigerian oil and gas sector, including establishment of refineries.
According to him: "We do know that there is some level of professional efficiency in the way things work in India, like the transport sector, power and energy sector, manufacturing, educational, agricultural and water resources management sectors and indeed the Indian economy. We would like to see India collaborating with Nigeria in these sectors.
From Calabar, the Minister of Youth Development, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, has called on youths in the area to give peace a chance. He made the appeal at the opening of a three-day workshop on National Peace Building and Conflict Resolution at the weekend, warning that if current situation of kidnap, street gangsters and other vices continue, nothing meaningful can be gained.
The minister who spoke through the Director of Networks & Social Mobilisation, Mr. Dauda Kigbu, said the current trend in the Niger Delta will impede both development in the region and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

Detained Nigerian oil rebel taken to hospital

19 Sep 2008 13:51:13 GMT
Source: Reuters

JOS, Nigeria, Sept 19 (Reuters) - The suspected leader of Nigeria's main militant group in the oil-producing Niger Delta has been taken to a hospital for medical treatment, a defence lawyer said on Friday.
A trial court judge ordered state security officers to take Henry Okah, who is in jail for gun-running and treason, to an undisclosed hospital after defence lawyers said he was suffering from "kidney complications, " said Femi Falana, one of Okah's lawyers.
The federal judge adjourned Okah's hearing for Oct. 3 after prosecutors agreed to submit witness statements and evidence to Okah's defence team.
Okah, believed to be the leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), still commands loyalty from several well-armed factions in the delta. He could face the death penalty if convicted.
MEND, which declared an "oil war" against the oil sector and military this week, is holding three foreigners and 22 Nigerian oil workers captive as leverage for Okah's release. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://africa. reuters.com/ ) (Reporting by Shuaibu Mohammed; Writing by Randy Fabi; Editing by Tume Ahemba and Ralph Boulton

http://www.alertnet .org/thenews/ newsdesk/ LJ572447. htm

Defence chief warns Niger Delta militants 19/9/2008

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt and Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

From Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike yesterday came a warning to trouble makers in the Niger Delta: the military won’t be intimidated.

Speaking after a tour of the operational bases of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states, Dike said nobody could make the military shy away from its constitutional responsibility.

Dike awarded the task force a pass mark, saying: "I’m okay with the operations of JTF".

Accompanied by Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau and other top military officers the Defence chief visited Governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa) and Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta).

Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Dike commended the JTF’s efforts in combating crime, but he said there were still areas to be improved upon.

According to him, the Armed Forces and the state have a long-standing relationship dating back to the days of the civil war, which made them to share the same goals and aspirations.

He praised the government for providing a conducive environment for the JTF to operate, and the people for their cooperation and understanding.

In his response, Amaechi, congratulated Dike and the Service Chiefs on their appointments. He noted that there was improvement in security since he became governor, saying the JTF had shown that those perpetrating crisis in the state were criminals masquerading as freedom fighters.

His aim, it was learnt, is to ensure that the soldiers are well equipped to meet the fire-power of militants.

Sources said Dike expressed worry over the deaths of soldiers in encounters with militants.

But Governor Sylva was said to have demanded the establishment of a military command rather than the reinforcement of JTF. Currently, the Elele command of the Nigerian Army in Rivers State oversees Bayelsa State.

Dike said the Army is considering establishing a brigade headquarters in Bayelsa. He said when the arrangements are completed the government would be briefed.

In demanding a military command, Sylva said besides being a border state, Bayelsa is also one of the highest producers of oil in the Niger Delta.

"A military base in the state will help to curtail the activities of militants and other crimes", said the governor, who stressed that the government had always dealt with the excesses of militants in consonance with the law.

Other measures adopted to check the activities of militants, according to him, included the triple E strategy of "engagement, empowerment and enforcement" .

In Warri, Delta State, Dike said the military had the constitutional responsibility to maintain the territorial integrity. "We cannot shy away from it and nobody can make us to shy away from it," he added.

Dike stressed that the military under him would not condone indiscipline and other acts that are not expected of officers and men of the armed forces. Specifically, he warned that the military high command would not accept acts capable of casting it in bad light before the public.

He told the military personnel: "I want to say that henceforth, we are not going to tolerate any act of indiscipline from members of the task force operation here. It is important that I make this point clear, that in as much as you have a mandate here, no matter your achievement, you cannot treat the people with brutality and that is why I am challenging you to improve on you discipline."

Militants yesterday said there was no stopping the "oil war" until it overruns the military.

Blaming the military for what it called "unprovoked attacks" on some Ijaw communities in Rivers State, the Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC) said JTF would regret the action.

In an online statement by its spokesperson, Cynthia Whyte, the JRC said: "The boys are too excited to stop now." It warned that the conflict between the soldiers and freedom fighters could only come to an end after they (soldiers) had been brought to their knees.

The JRC described as funny the "rapid media response plan aimed at undermining every action we take".

Whyte said the JRC was aware that the military had begun to threaten media houses who refuse to tilt the story to the side of the armed forces, stressing: "We have decided to start taking photographs of dead soldiers and attacked facilities."

Commenting on the new ministry for the Niger Delta, the JRC said: "The Ministry has been created. Let us watch how they will staff and run it. Let us watch whether they will appoint corrupt and self-seeking individuals like they do for other interventionist agencies. If they cannot get it right with the quality of manpower they enlist to run it, it will fail." On the detained MEND leader, Henry Okah, the JRC said he would soon regain his freedom and urged President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to do what was right by freeing him without delay. If there is any sincerity in the much talked-about peace process, the JRC said Okah should be allowed to play a role.

"Yar’Adua must begin to follow his conscience and not allow himself to be lorded over by ambitious cronies and lieutenants who do not wish him well. He must take advantage of the abilities and good nature of Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to bring peace and development to our people," the group said.

While urging Jonathan to believe in himself, the JRC said it would help him to succeed, especially now that leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force and chairman of the Niger Delta People’s Salvation Front, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, who was angry with Okah, has begun a process to achieve lasting peace.

 

MEND Declares 'Oil War' In Niger Delta

By Ofonime Umanah, Port Harcourt, Paul Arhewe (Lagos), (with Agency Report)

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND)declared a state of war on Sunday after two days of clashes with government forces, launching reprisal raids and raising the spectre of more conflicts in Africa's biggest oil producer.

The group warned international oil companies to avoid the region or take "a foolhardy risk of attack".

MEND has mostly focused on hobbling Nigeria's oil industry since it emerged nearly three years ago, bombing pipelines in hopes of forcing the Federal Government to send more money to the region.

But a military task force involving marine, land and air forces has stepped up anti-militant activities in recent weeks.

On Sunday, militants said they attacked soldiers protecting sites run by Chevron Corp and Royal Dutch Shell - payback for a rare ground battle on Saturday when the armed forces attacked a militant base camp.

Said MEND in a statement: "Following a previous warning that any attack on our positions will be tantamount to a declaration of an oil war, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has declared an oil war."

MEND said seven of their fighters died on Saturday and claimed 22 troops were killed in the attack on Sunday.

Meanwhile, oil majors are beginning to pull out their workers from their platforms to avoid being hit in the ongoing oil war between MEND and men of the Joint Task Force (JTF).

The war has already led to the loss of an uncertain number of casualties. While MEND is claiming that it has killed more soldiers, the JTF on the other hand insisted on Sunday that only one of its men was injured during the attack that lasted till dawn on Sunday.

It was learnt that some of the oil firms that work for the major operators began the process of moving out their personnel from the rigs and other platforms on Sunday.

Most of those that are said to have been taken away are the foreigners.

Sources said even those that were left behind on Sunday were apprehensive and had all indicated the desire to quit the platforms. They are afraid that MEND might keep to their threat of attacking all the platforms and killing anybody in sight.

It was not clear whether Chevron and Shell's staff had been moved out of their platforms due to Sunday's attack on the Kula and Soku fields.

Spokesmen of the companies would not take their calls when Daily Independent tried to make enquiries.

But an oil worker in one of the companies said there were arrangements to evacuate staff of the firm for fear of attacks.

On Sunday, MEND claimed that it was launching what it called a Hurricane Barbarosa.

A statement from the group's spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, noted that its men in hundreds of war boats filed out from different bases across the Niger Delta in solidarity to carry out destructive and deadly attacks on the oil industry in Rivers State.

He warned that "the operation will continue until the government of Nigeria appreciates that the solution to peace in the Niger Delta is justice, respect and dialogue. This military style bullying belongs to the past 50 years when the Niger Delta people responded only with their mouths, pens and placards."

But again, the JTF image maker, Lt.Col. Sagir Musa, said in a text message that only one soldier was injured as against the claim that soldiers perished during the attack.

He added that the JTF men were able to repel the militants at Soku and Roberkiri in the early hours of Sunday.

Musa insisted that the soldiers were still in charge and described as cheap propaganda, MEND's claims of superior powers.

 

Militants says clashes with Nigerian army mean war

By EDWARD HARRIS, Associated Press Writer 42 minutes ago

LAGOS, Nigeria -

Gunmen battled government forces Monday in a third day of violence to hit Nigeria's southern oil region after the main militant group declared a state of war and raised the specter of a stepped-up conflict.

Fighters riding in about 10 speedboats attacked security personnel guarding an oil-pumping station operated by Royal Dutch Shell PLC in a pre-dawn raid, touching off an hourlong battle, said Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, a spokesman for the military in the southern Niger Delta region.

Musa said the so-called flow station may have been damaged during the battle, but that no government forces were injured. Shell officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

News of the battle came after the main militant group in Nigeria's southern oil region declared a state of war Sunday after two days of clashes with government forces, launching reprisal raids and raising the specter of more conflict in Africa's biggest oil producer.

The group had no immediate comment on any involvement. It has mostly focused on hobbling Nigeria's oil industry since it emerged nearly three years ago, bombing pipelines in hopes of forcing the federal government to send more revenues to the impoverished oil-producing south.

But a military task force involving marine, land and air forces has stepped up its anti-militant activities in recent weeks, and the militant group said Sunday that two days of relatively rare ground battles with the military meant the region was in a state of war.

On Sunday, militants said they attacked soldiers protecting sites run by Chevron Corp. and Shell — payback for a rare ground battle Saturday when the armed forces attacked a militant base camp.

"Following a previous warning that any attack on our positions will be tantamount to a declaration of an oil war, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has declared an oil war," said a statement from the group, known by its acronym MEND.

It was unclear whether the declaration would have any real effect in the Niger Delta. Neither side has sought a full-blown civil war, although Nigerian media have reported that some elements in the military are pushing for more robust attacks on the militants.

The loose alliance of militant and criminal gangs steals Nigerian oil for sale overseas. Most fighting is focused on the oil industry, but a full-scale conflict with the military could leave the country's oil-pumping infrastructure in tatters, while jeopardizing the militants' own lucrative oil trade.

While a wider civil war isn't seen to be in either side's interests, it is the doomsday scenario for the international oil companies, who would find it increasingly difficult to maintain the thousands of miles of pipelines connecting wells to export terminals. A shutdown of all oil production from Nigeria, one of the world's top producers and an OPEC member, would cause further spikes in oil prices.

The militants, who analysts say are motivated by money as well as politics, say they want more federally held oil funds for their states, which remain impoverished despite five decades of production. Their attacks have cut about one-fifth of Nigeria's normal oil output, helping send crude prices to all-time highs in international markets.

The militants said seven of their fighters died Saturday and claimed 22 troops were killed in the attack Sunday.

Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, a spokesman for the military task force charged with calming the Niger Delta, acknowledged there was fighting Sunday near two sites operated by Chevron and Shell in Rivers State, but denied soldiers were killed.

Representatives for Shell and Chevron said they were investigating reports of violence at their facilities.

Private security contractors working in the oil industry, which often helps evacuate wounded military personnel, said at least three soldiers were injured and two civilians killed in the crossfire.

The militants also said they blew up other pieces of oil infrastructure, but those claims could not be immediately verified.

"All international oil and gas loading vessels entering the region are warned to drop anchor in the high sea or divert elsewhere until further notice. Failure to comply is taking a foolhardy risk of attack and destruction of the vessel," the group said.

The militants said they had attacked a military outpost in recent weeks, killing 29 troops in response to alleged killings of civilians. The government denied that any attacks took place. The accounts could not be independently verified.

While the military often skirmishes with gunmen during chance boat encounters on the region's waterways, it has avoided major attacks on militant camps and other permanent positions.

The militants generally avoid the armed forces, sticking to the back creeks of the delta as they roam the region.

 

Militants reject Niger Delta Technical Committee 6/9/2008

Vincent ikuomola, Abuja

Govement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has rejected the Federal Government’s 40 man peace committee announced by Vice President Goodluck Jonathan saying it "orchestrated and lacks semblance of integrity."
MEND said, "Peace in the Niger Delta will be determined from the mangrove creeks and not from air-conditioned rooms in Abuja."

In an email, MEND said any discussion without the release of its detained leader, Henry Okah, is an "exercise in futility."

"Without the release of Henry Okah, no right thinking militant that has evaded capture can trust that the government wants genuine peace. Treating those in its custody differently from those that are in the creek is sheer hypocrisy. Henry Okah must be a part of the process and not an agenda for debate." MEND said in the email signed by Jomo Gbomo.

"The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) considers the 40-man Niger Delta Peace Committee which is scheduled to be inaugurated in Abuja on Monday, September 8, 2008 as the appetizer on the menu of another banquet of deceit orchestrated by an insincere government to give it a semblance of integrity.

"MEND therefore rejects this peace committee and can assure them that without putting the horse before the cart, they are bound to fail as the Gambari led one before it."

Meanwhile, the Federal Government yesterday said that it has no plan to appoint leadership for the Committee.

Rather, the government argued that it is the committee that would select their officers during their first business session. The committee would be inaugurated in Abuja on Monday by the Vice-President.

The clarification, according to the government, is to correct earlier report that one of the committee nominees has been named as the chairman.

In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant (Media and Communications) to the vice president, Mr. Ima Niboro, said that the Federal Government has not nominated anyone as the Chairman of the technical committee.

It reads, "We wish to state that the technical committee has not chosen its officers, and government has assigned no chairman to it.

"We call on the press and the general public to note that being a technical team of highly respected Niger Deltans mostly nominated by their respective states we expect them to select their officers during their first business session."

President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua had on Thursday constituted a 40-man technical committee on the Niger Delta.

The committee is saddled with the responsibility of reviewing previous reports on the Niger Delta, with the aim of making recommendations on the way forward.

 

Solders arrest detain ERA staff, community people and journalists (Info Oilwatch)

Press Release - September 2, 2008

Gas Flaring: ERA Flays arrest of activists, Journalists

The Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth, Nigeria
(ERA/FoEN) has condemned Tuesday's arrest and detention of its officers,
community elders and some journalists at Iwherekan community, Delta
State by soldiers guarding gas flaring sites operated by Shell. The
group demands their immediate release and an apology from the military
and Shell.

In a statement issued in Benin yesterday, ERA said some of its
officers, community elders, women, children and journalists from
national newspapers and televisions stations including the Federal
Government- owned Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) were arrested
during a community interactive forum on the impact of gas flaring .

According to the group, about 25 persons including ERA/FoEN project
Officer, Chima Williams, the plaintiff in the suit against gas flaring,
Jonah Gbemre and a member of the Host Communities Network (HOCON),
Comrade Che Ibegura were arrested and detained by the soldiers while the
camera of the NTA crew was seized and confiscated.

"We are shocked that this kind of reckless display of crude force
which we thought had died and buried with the military junta of General
Sani Abacha has suddenly resurrected under Yar' Adua
administration. Why is governmnet colluding with oil companies to shield
the world from knowing the impact of gas flaring on the lives of Niger
Delta people?", asked Nnimmo Bassey, ERA/FoEN Executive Director.

"This action has shown clearly that this government is not
concerned about the impact of gas flaring on the livelihoods and health
of Niger Delta people. It is also a clear evidence that what this
administration has to offer for the genuine agitation of Niger Delta
people for an end to gas flaring is, intimidation , crude force and
cover ups. It is so sad that this has happened under a government that
has gone to the roof top to profess its belief in the rule of law,"
Bassey added.

A Federal High court sitting in Benin, Edo State and presided over
by Justice V. C Nwokorie, had on November 14th 2005 ordered Shell to
stop gas flaring in Iwherekan Community, Delta State by April 2007,
saying it violates the fundamental right to life and dignity.

The suit was filed on July 20, 2005 by Mr. Jonah Gbemre on behalf
of himself and Iwerekan community against Shell, Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Attorney General of the Federation,
asking for the stoppage of gas flaring in the community.

Nigeria has been the world's biggest gas flarer, and the practice
has contributed more greenhouse gas emissions than all other sources in
sub-Saharan Africa combined, according to a World Bank 2002 statement.

Flaring is bad for both the environment and the people in the Niger
Delta. It can lead to leukemia or asthma and premature death. It causes
acid rain which acidifies lakes and streams and damages vegetation.

Tuesday's arrest apparently was to intimidate the community and
prevent environmentalists from their continued campaign for an end to
gas flaring.

In his solidarity message the Executive Director, of Social Action,
Isaac Osuoka said: "The gathering of civil society groups, community
leaders and the media in Iwherekan lay bare the unity of Nigerians that
gas flaring should stop now.

Unfortunately the action of the soldiers demonstrates that this
government has opted to side with corporate profit at the expense of
citizens' well- being and the protection of the environment."

Contacts:

Philip Jakpor

+234-8037256939

Nnimmo Bassey

+234-8037274395

--
www.oilwatch.org <http://www.oilwatch.org/>

 

The Communiqué of the 2008 Isaac Boro Day Commemoration in London on the 15 &16 August 2008 organised by the Ijaw People’s Association of Great Britain and Ireland

Preamble

As part of the commemoration of the 2008 Isaac Boro Day activities in the United Kingdom organised by the Ijaw People’s Association of Great Britain and Ireland opinion leaders and people of the Niger Delta deliberated on the state of the Niger Delta and its implication for the security, development and economy of Nigeria and Africa. Representations were from Nigeria , the United States of America and Europe , and included youths, elders, traditional rulers, students and professionals.

State of the Niger Delta

Conference observes that the Niger Delta is a part and parcel, and in fact a microcosm of the Nigerian state. Whatever happens to the Niger Delta affects the rest of Nigeria economically and politically. Hence Conference is alarmed at the happenings in the Niger Delta region, its lingering crises and their impact on the rest of Nigeria and Nigerians. Conference notes that the following has exacerbated the Niger Delta crises:

* The continuous underdevelopment of the Niger Delta area by subsequent federal and regional governments despite the abundance of and exploitation of natural resources from the territory.

* The non-Implementation of various recommendations of several committees, commissions and panels’ set-up by the Federal Government to tackle the Niger Delta Crises, the under-funding of such commissions and the withholding of funds designated for the development of the area.

* The activities of the multinational oil companies that destroy the environment and impinge on the livelihood, health and survival of the people such as the continuous flaring of gas and crude oil spills.

* The deliberate ostracizing of the people of the Niger Delta people from the oil and gas industry despite its negative impact on the environment, livelihood and survival of the people.

* Insecurity of lives and property caused by the militarisation of the area. Top government functionaries and security forces engage in oil theft, oil bunkering, illegal taxation, invasion of communities, killing and maiming of the people especially the youths, etc. There is a direct link between the JTF, Oil bunkering and insecurity in the Niger Delta. The presence of the JTF is exacerbating insecurity and criminal activity in the Niger Delta as persons connected officially to the NPPC, Oil companies and private business are responsible for the large percentage of oil theft in the Niger Delta. It is in their interest that insecurity reigns in the Niger Delta, as it affords them the necessary cover to continue their stealing. Therefore the JTF has now transformed itself into an obstacle of peace attainment, as it no longer has any desire to bring about actual peace and stability in the Niger Delta.

* The deliberate imposition of political leaders on the people. Such politicians lack foresight and interest in the welfare of the people but are collaborators with the oppressors in the looting of the people’s resources. Conference is strongly offended by these political elite, and their habit of imposing unscrupulous politicians on the people of the Niger Delta as leaders. We observe that failed leadership is one of the problems associated with the lingering Niger Delta crises.

* The seemingly biased and lopsided implementation of the Anti-Corruption efforts as many indicted political leaders such as former governors are being shielded from prosecution by the state. This will continue to have negative consequences for social stability and security in Nigeria , as other persons will be emboldened to also steal from the public purse, and the cycle of corruption will continue especially in the Niger Delta area. A strong anti-corruption effort is essential for resolving the lingering crises in the Niger Delta and for the overall economic health and political stability of Nigeria . It is either a peaceful revolution through a sincere anti-corruption drive or bloody upheaval caused by mass discontent. The choice is in the hands of the managers of state at Abuja .

* The continuous existence of obnoxious laws that deprive the people of their dignity, land and livelihood. These laws include the Land Use Decree, the Petroleum Decree, and the Inland Waterways Decree etc.

Resolutions

Conference resolves as follows:

* The Niger Delta problem is a problem for all of Nigeria and, therefore, should be treated with the highest level of seriousness and sincerity by the Federal Government and the international community.

* We identify with the President Umaru Yar’adua’s Seven Point agenda which has the Niger Delta a priority. We call upon the President to bring to the front burner the Niger Delta problem and resolve once and for all, all the contentious issues that are prolonging the crises..

* We call on the managers of state at the Federal level [at Abuja ] to stop the imposition of political leaders on the Niger Delta people. They should desist from such actions if they are sincere in resolving the Niger Delta crises.

* The Federal Government must as a matter of priority make the anti-corruption war more effective. The people of Nigeria demand tangible and measurable results, such as successful convictions and recovery of stolen public resources.

* The Federal Government should take immediate steps to engage, involve and include the Niger Delta people in the oil and gas industry at all levels. Conference recommends that an affirmative action programme be implemented to address this problem. In addition, the Federal Government to empower the local oil bearing communities within the framework of ownership of resources as this will ensure the security of oil/gas industry infrastructure in the area.

* We demand a time frame for the disbandment of the JTF and their replacement by a well equipped and community oriented police mobile squadron to avoid further exacerbation of the crises in the Niger Delta.

* We condemn the recent invasion and destruction of lives and property of the Agge community of Bayelsa State by the JTF.

* We call upon the Federal Government to genuinely empower the Nigeria Navy to blockade the territorial waters of Nigeria and arrest all illegal shipments of oil and not use the navy to intimidate and oppress the people of the Niger Delta.

* The Federal Government should collate and immediately implement all past recommendations & reports on the development of the Niger Delta area. This should be in conjunction with the release of all withheld funds designed for the development of the area. The government should show further commitment to the development of the Niger Delta by increasing the funding of development of the Niger Delta through the NDDC. We demand that the Security vote of over four hundred billion naira for the Niger Delta in the 2008 budget be given to the NDDC to embark on infrastructure development in the Niger Delta.

* That despite the proposed constitution review we insist that the best forum for achieving lasting peace and stability in Nigeria is through the convening of a Sovereign National conference. We resolve to use all means at our disposal to bring the convening of the Sovereign National Conference as the best forum for creating peace and stability in Nigeria .

* We call on all Ijaws and other Niger Delta ethnic nationalities to resolve all their differences and unite behind all legitimate representative organisations and political leaders; and stop all internal bickering.

We commend all genuine struggles of the Niger Delta people and extend our solidarity to all ethnic nationalities in Nigeria . Together, we shall build a better Nigeria where fairness, equity and justice will reign supreme.

Signed on behalf of Conference

Mr Benaebi Benatari (Conference Secretary) ………………..

Ms Annkio Briggs (Participant) ………………..

Dr Felix Tuodolo (Chairman INC Europe ) ………………..

Mr Rowland Ekperi (President IPA) ………………..

HRM King Ayemi Botu