A Niger Delta Activist and Youth Leader, Mr Richard Akinaka has urged the federal government to build on the successes of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo’s recent peace building visit to the region.
He observed that the existing peace achieved through consultations proves that dialogue was more effective in achieving peace. Akinaka in an interview in Yenagoa, urged some mischievous militant groups trying to derail the peace achieved from the town hall meetings at the capitals of states in the region to rethink and make a U-turn.
He advised the government not to succumb to blackmails by militant groups trying to get attention by derailing the peace recorded in the region.
Akinaka, who presented the position of the Youths in Rivers during Osinbajo’s visit to the state, noted that the peace tour was a significant step towards the peaceful resolution of the contending issues of the region.
“The visit must be holistic enough to address the fundamental developmental challenges of the region and not be geared towards satisfying the yearnings of a few individuals in the region.
”It is therefore evident that consensus building consultation and dialogue prevailed over force deployed in the first instance without desired results, the dialogue option has returned peace to the once troubled region.
“He has visited, and collates age-long issues raised that were militating against the region. If the promises made are not addressed, another set of people will take up arms hoping that government will come and talk to them.
“The visit must not be about satisfying the yearnings of few individuals. The visit must be holistic enough to address the fundamental issues of the region.
“If that is done, someone will not wake up tomorrow to burst pipelines as an option to hold government to ransom .it must address the core issues of the region.” He submitted.
Akinaka also noted that the visit of the Acting president is good and symbolic and should be a sign post to peace in the region.
“But times have come where we should go beyond meetings and discussion.
“Government must also set its priorities right and do the right thing to ensure that peace prevails, equity prevails and ensure that the region that lays the golden egg and sustain this nation is given the priorities it deserves.
“Then I tell there will be peace.” He said.
Akinaka also dismissed the claims by some politicians that the issue of pipeline vandalism is as a result of Niger Delta agitations.
“I can say, as my personal opinion that what is going on in Niger delta right now with the bursting of pipelines should not be linked with the region’s agitation because it is not.
“The collective will of the people is not to go on and blowup pipeline for any reason.
“The agitation of the people is based on the issues of under development that has been there over the years. There is evident lack of development and unfair treatment to the people.
“What is going on recently in the name of pipelines vandalism for me clearly is not regional agitation agenda but a blackmail tool to arm twist government for personal reasons.” He said.
On the recent directive by the Federal Government to the Multinational Oil Companies to relocate their operational headquarters to the Niger Delta, Akinaka lauded the Federal Government.
He described the decision as a welcome development, noting that the multiplier effects on the economy is huge and will enhance the level of development and create jobs.
“This will bring the contractors, service providers closer and adding values to the people. It will reduce pipelines sabotage because youths will be gainful employed.
“Operation of the multinational Oil Companies is about stakeholder driven, and if anyone knows he is a stakeholder of a company, he will not have time to burst or blowup pipelines.
“It is very disrespectful that you are taking my oil here but your operational headquarters is in Lagos.” Akinaka
He also commended the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu for providing a platform to drive the peace process.
He equally applauded the newly unveiled 20-point agenda to formalize illegal refinery operators and transform them into owners of Modular refineries in the region.
According to him legalizing local refineries is of huge benefits as it will boost the economy by making products available to the region since the country’s refineries can’t meet demands for refined petroleum products.
“Ninety per cent of the AGO and Kerosene around are being produced by the youths of the Niger delta via the so called illegal refineries.
“Government should set the right standards through the enabling laws and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to ensure compliance.” He said.
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