The Ijaw National Congress on Monday, urged the
Federal Government to use dialogue in resolving issues in the Niger Delta.
The
president of the Congress, Mr Boma Obuoforibo, said in Port Harcourt that
military option would not be in the interest of the people of the region.
“We
call on President Muhammadu Buhari to disregard calls for military campaign
against the restive youths as peaceful discourse remains the best option in
resolving the issues in the Niger Delta,” he said.
Obuoforibo
said that the use of dialogue had become necessary since the youths had heeded
their leaders’ admonition within and outside the region and were ready to talk
with the government.
“It is expedient that comments and actions that
would aggravate the situation should be avoided.
“We
equally implore the government to urgently demilitarise and withdraw the
military from all of our communities,” he said.
According
to Obuoforibo, Ijaw people are not adverse to the government of President
Buhari.
“We
commend the president for the launch of Ogoni Clean-up and steps taken so far
for its full implementation .
“We
hope that other areas in the Niger Delta equally impacted will be given similar
considerations,” he said.
The
president said one major reason the crisis in the Niger Delta had lingered
without any meaningful solution was insincerity on the part of successive
governments and operators of the oil sector.
Obuoforibo
said after over five decades of oil exploration and exploitation and despite
the huge wealth created by the sector, the benefits had not impacted on the
majority of the people.
He
said the land, rivers and creeks in the area had been devastated, while
communities remained with some of the worst living conditions.
-NAN
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