Embrace dialogue, Wike, IYC urge militants

Chukwudi Akasike and Simon Utebor

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has called on Niger Delta militants to embrace dialogue as their attacks on oil facilities are adversely affecting the country’s economy.

Wike also accused the Nigerian Agip Oil Company of being responsible for some of the conflicts in the area, stating that should Agip continue to act against the security of the state, the state government would revoke the firm’s certificate of occupancy.

The governor stated that the destruction of oil installations could damage the environment and negatively impact on host communities.

He spoke at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday when he received the leadership of Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema Youths Consultative Council.

Wike said that should oil production continue to drop, the country would face crisis, hence the need for the restoration of peace through negotiation and dialogue.

“If the oil production continues to drop, this country will be in crisis. Blowing up oil facilities also has negative effect on our environment. There is need for dialogue to go on. I believe in one united Nigeria and it is in our interest to have peace for development,” he said.

Wike added that Niger Delta state governors should be involved in the process for the award of pipeline contracts.

He commended the OYCC for promoting peace in ONELGA, the highest oil-producing local government area in the country.

The President of OYCC, Mr. Kingsley Ogumike, praised Wike for executing developmental projects in the area and appointing indigenes of the area into key positions.

Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, has urged the Federal Government to engage credible leaders from the Niger Delta in the ongoing dialogue with the Niger Delta Avengers.

The spokesperson for the group, Mr. Eric Omare, gave the advice on Friday while reacting to a breach of ceasefire by the militants to pave the way for dialogue with the government by attacking oil installations in Delta.

Omare said that the continued sabotage while talks were ongoing was an indication of lack of confidence in the representatives of the Niger Delta region by the militants.

He alleged that the politicisation of the process was “partly” responsible for the non-compliance to the ceasefire by the Niger Delta Avengers.

He said, “The problem with the dialogue process is lack of proper confidence and politicisation of the process. The government seems to be engaging the wrong people.

“We strongly advise the government to set politics aside and engage with the real people, especially those who can reach the leadership of the NDA.”

Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: editor@punchng.com

 

The post Embrace dialogue, Wike, IYC urge militants appeared first on Punch Newspapers.

from Punch Newspapers http://ift.tt/1XMLvQ6