Niger Delta group blames Federal Government for insurgency in Ijaw communities

NEDU MARK
P/ H, YENAGOA

Frontline Leaders Assembly, a group in the Niger Delta region has blamed the federal government for the recent upsurge in insurgency and vandalization of pipeline installations in some communities in the region.

The group also appealed to the South/South zone governors to resist the militarization of the region by the President Muhammadu Buhari led government, and adopt more proactive measures to ensure mutual cooperation between the ex-agitators and the Federal Government.

The group equally condemned the termination of pipeline surveillance contracts between the ex-agitators and the NNPC by the federal government which they said is breeding unhealthy relationship between government and the aggrieved ex-militant leaders.

President, Niger Delta Non Violence Leaders Assembly, Ambassador Kennedy Tonjo West, said the stoppage of pipeline surveillance contracts by the Buhari led government was responsibly for the resurgence of insurgency in the region.

He insisted that the termination of the contracts has thrown over 10,000 youths into the labour market, thereby causing crisis in the communities.

Ambassador Tonjo West stated this in Port Harcourt while condemning the invasion of Ijaw communities in Delta State by the military.

According to the group, “it is too hasty for the federal government to threaten the option of militarization of the region.

“The option taken by the President Buhari led government is not the best approach to solving the regions problem.

“Creating deliberate unemployment for over 10,000 youths is enough to breed insurgency among the youths in the region. As a group, we think that the federal government is to be blamed for the attacks and insurgency.”

He said that the 2016 budget earmarked for the amnesty program by the Buhari led government did not capture the N75,000 stipend for the repentant agitators and blamed the federal government for the drastic decline in the appropriation to the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC and the Niger Delta ministry.

He pointed at the huge unemployment rates in the region noting that the region was facing marginalization, neglect and economic starvation by the federal government.

Niger Delta Region, Tonjo West said, contributes enormously to the centre and, he appealed for dialogue between the federal government and leaders from the region as the only way out.

“Positive dialogue between the leaders of the region and the federal government would enhance development and corporate co-existence in the country,” he insisted.