Niger Delta: Does Yar'Adua have a chance?
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Yesterday, we reviewed the escalating violence in the area and today would want to take the debate further by assessing Yar'Adua's chances of tackling the challenges posed by escalating violence in that area of the country.
The renewed violence which took place in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital in the wee hours of the New Year left 16 persons dead, including police officers and militants.
Ateke Tom, leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante Movement (NDVM), claimed responsibility for the attacks and vows to step up the carnage in retaliation for what he calls "unprovoked destruction and invasion” of his houses in Okrika near Port Harcourt the Rivers State capital.
Perhaps, Ateke was referring to the raid by the Joint Task Force on his camps known as Evil Forest, with the leader of the task force alleging that incriminating evidences were discovered and that NDVM was responsible for numerous killings and illegal bunkering of oil.
"What you heard of is just a confirmatory air surveillance of militant camps located in the creeks along Dawes Island. The air surveillance or where necessary, strike, was targeted at three confirmed camps in the area. We are trying what is practically imperative to tame the growing militants' activities in that area, particularly their arms and ammunitions depots," says spokesman of the JTF.
Similarly, the governor of the state as the chief security officer has taken the war further. On a visit to the forest, he was reported to have told the parents of the militants that any further attacks will lead to unpleasant consequences. In his words, "if we hear gunshot anywhere here again, we will open fire. If your son is one of the criminals who go out and come back here, if we can't arrest him, we will arrest you the father and the mother"
This account clearly demonstrates government's resolve to match force with force in its desire to solve the Niger Delta problem. We have seen this strategy before and each time without success. This is why the government must begin now to review its strategies. This marks the beginning of the challenges which the present administration will have to confront.
Beyond, reviewing its strategies, we are afraid the government may not have the political will to meet the aspirations of the Ijaw nation, one of which is the review of the 13 percent derivation to 25 percent which was moved in the National Political Reform Conference on February 21, 2005. The South-South delegates at the conference had asked for 50 percent but later acceded to 25 percent with graduated increase to 50 percent over a period of time. Apart from the derivation issue, the Ijaw nation is also asking for true federalism, fiscal responsibility and resource control, issues which were hotly opposed by the Arewa Consultative Forum.
It is sad that the outcome of the conference is yet to be made public despite the huge resources wasted in hosting men and women of integrity. Now, will the current administration accept the 17 percent recommended by the conference as derivation for the oil producing states? More importantly, will the government be sincere in its dealings with the people? It is believed that the last administration owed the NDDC over N300 billion which represents revenue that should have been utilised in the development of the area. How much of this can Yar'Adua pay? Should he accept the 17 percent derivation and ensure that all debts owed NDDC are paid? More so, how will he handle the appetite of the militants whose pre-occupation now is kidnapping for ransom?
Certainly, these are obvious constraints before the present administration, which are not only burning but seeming too hot for this regime to handle.
However, we believe that the solution lies not in giving freebies to youth leaders and traditional rulers but in being honest, sincere and demonstrating visible determination to declare the area an emergency zone.
Another is to be fair to the people. If we had been fair to them, the streets of the Niger Delta would have been paved with 'gold', a model region, lacking nothing by way of good roads, potable water, boasting of electrified towns and villages; high percentage of educated people, low infant mortality; reassuring federal presence and not soldiers terrorising the citizens, and an excellent quality of life
The renewed violence which took place in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital in the wee hours of the New Year left 16 persons dead, including police officers and militants.
Ateke Tom, leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante Movement (NDVM), claimed responsibility for the attacks and vows to step up the carnage in retaliation for what he calls "unprovoked destruction and invasion” of his houses in Okrika near Port Harcourt the Rivers State capital.
Perhaps, Ateke was referring to the raid by the Joint Task Force on his camps known as Evil Forest, with the leader of the task force alleging that incriminating evidences were discovered and that NDVM was responsible for numerous killings and illegal bunkering of oil.
"What you heard of is just a confirmatory air surveillance of militant camps located in the creeks along Dawes Island. The air surveillance or where necessary, strike, was targeted at three confirmed camps in the area. We are trying what is practically imperative to tame the growing militants' activities in that area, particularly their arms and ammunitions depots," says spokesman of the JTF.
Similarly, the governor of the state as the chief security officer has taken the war further. On a visit to the forest, he was reported to have told the parents of the militants that any further attacks will lead to unpleasant consequences. In his words, "if we hear gunshot anywhere here again, we will open fire. If your son is one of the criminals who go out and come back here, if we can't arrest him, we will arrest you the father and the mother"
This account clearly demonstrates government's resolve to match force with force in its desire to solve the Niger Delta problem. We have seen this strategy before and each time without success. This is why the government must begin now to review its strategies. This marks the beginning of the challenges which the present administration will have to confront.
Beyond, reviewing its strategies, we are afraid the government may not have the political will to meet the aspirations of the Ijaw nation, one of which is the review of the 13 percent derivation to 25 percent which was moved in the National Political Reform Conference on February 21, 2005. The South-South delegates at the conference had asked for 50 percent but later acceded to 25 percent with graduated increase to 50 percent over a period of time. Apart from the derivation issue, the Ijaw nation is also asking for true federalism, fiscal responsibility and resource control, issues which were hotly opposed by the Arewa Consultative Forum.
It is sad that the outcome of the conference is yet to be made public despite the huge resources wasted in hosting men and women of integrity. Now, will the current administration accept the 17 percent recommended by the conference as derivation for the oil producing states? More importantly, will the government be sincere in its dealings with the people? It is believed that the last administration owed the NDDC over N300 billion which represents revenue that should have been utilised in the development of the area. How much of this can Yar'Adua pay? Should he accept the 17 percent derivation and ensure that all debts owed NDDC are paid? More so, how will he handle the appetite of the militants whose pre-occupation now is kidnapping for ransom?
Certainly, these are obvious constraints before the present administration, which are not only burning but seeming too hot for this regime to handle.
However, we believe that the solution lies not in giving freebies to youth leaders and traditional rulers but in being honest, sincere and demonstrating visible determination to declare the area an emergency zone.
Another is to be fair to the people. If we had been fair to them, the streets of the Niger Delta would have been paved with 'gold', a model region, lacking nothing by way of good roads, potable water, boasting of electrified towns and villages; high percentage of educated people, low infant mortality; reassuring federal presence and not soldiers terrorising the citizens, and an excellent quality of life
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