IJAWS in the diaspora, particularly the United States of America (USA), have urged the Federal Government expedite the proposed dialogue process with aggrieved members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) so that peace and economic prosperity can return to the country.
The Ijaws made the call weekend in a statement signed by their coordinator, Dr David Ogula, and made available to Tribune Online through kalahariinc@yahoo.com in Warri, Delta State.
Members of the Diaspora Ijaw community in the USA, under the umbrella of Ozidi Forum, pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to accelerate the proposed dialogue process with the agitators in order to address concerns of the Niger Delta region as well as restore crude oil production.
The group observed sadly that beside the bleeding economy of the country, the ordinary Niger Deltans are also bearing the brunt of the hostilities, calling on the Avengers and other militants to have a rethink.
“The attacks on oil and gas infrastructure have clearly hurt Nigeria’s economy. The situation is adversely affecting regular people in all works of life, including the Niger people: they are bearing the brunt of the present crisis and are crying for help.
“We have obtained firsthand accounts of human beings subjected to the indignity of stealing boiling pots of soup from fire, chopping off banana bunches from neighbours’ backyards and so on. We cannot, and must not turn our backs on the people.
“We diaspora Ijaws, under the “Ozidi Group,” appeal to both parties, the Federal Government and the armed agitators in the Niger Delta, to make good faith efforts and seize the opportunity to discuss their concerns with a view to resolving the current impasse.
“We are also appealing for calm on the part of the Avengers and other armed groups in the region,” the diaspora Ijaws pleaded.
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