Niger Delta: Clerics set template for resolving crisis

Over 50 per cent of non-oil revenues is determined by oil revenues. But for the people of historic Oloibiri and the many oil-producing communities in this State and the Delta region of Nigeria, the blessing of oil paradoxically became a curse or at best a burden. Their means of livelihood, fishing and farming has consistently been destroyed by pollution. Worse still huge resources earned over the years have simply disappeared.

The roads, schools, hospitals and social amenities that the oil wealth should have provided are either not there or are patently inadequate. The majority of people of these communities and several parts of the oil producing states have heard of the wealth that oil has brought but have hardly benefited from it.

And so we have come today on behalf of the President and Commander-in-Chief, with cabinet colleagues, and heads of relevant agencies to propose a new vision and to signpost a new era to the people of the oil producing communities of this state and Nigeria.

The Federal Government will begin a partnership with the oil producing states, local governments, oil companies, private sector, and civil society organizations for the rapid development of these communities. We must convene an oil-communities intervention meeting to work out what can be done in the short to medium term and the long term possibilities. We must focus on how to ensure that the people see the benefits of the wealth of the land.

This new vision will define the future of the region. Oil exploitation by itself cannot suffice to assure our people of decent jobs and a decent income. We must make our oil producing communities hubs for petro-chemical industries, small and large. We must make these communities hubs for refining and related activities.

The above statement is an excerpt from the speech of acting President Yemi Osinbajo, at a town hall meeting held at the Bayelsa State Government House banquet hall, Yenagoa, in continuation of the series of interactive engagements with oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta, a few days ago.

In the release by the Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the President, Office of the Vice President, Dr Laolu Akande, Osinbajo had expressed the commitment of government to take more proactive measures towards providing succour for the many communities ravaged by oil exploration in the Niger Delta, a situation, that has, in no small way, given rise to various militant operations, thereby fuelling crime and violence in the area.

Clerics, they say, are closest to the people and in many ways, understand the plights of the Niger Delta people better. Visits have been conducted by various Christian bodies and churches to provide relief and to have a first-hand understanding of the realities of the South-South people. TribuneChurch sought the opinion of some church leaders on steps that can be taken to further address the problems of the Niger Delta region.

Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN), His Eminence, Most Reverend (Dr) Samuel Uche, had aligned with Professor Osinbajo’s quest to engage the youths of the region. Speaking with TribuneChurch on his recommendations for the government to tackle the underdevelopment of the South-South, he highlighted some of his experiences after visiting some communities in the region.

According to him, “They should embrace dialogue. There should be a meeting with those who are especially respected by the youths in the area on how to address their plight. I travel regularly and, in many cases, not even by luxury because I always want the chance to meet personally with the people. From what we have seen, we can say we understand from a close perspective what the people are going through. The people of the riverine areas are dying in silence because they live in terrible conditions. Many of these areas do not have electricity supply; there are no access roads, and not to talk of the prevalent contaminated water drunk by the people. I believe that if the economic factors are addressed, militancy and illegal oil bunkering will reduce.”

Dialogue should be encouraged —CAN

President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), who doubles as the President, Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), and member of the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Reverend (Dr) Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, who earlier noted the need for states to have some form of control over their mineral deposits, called on the government to treat the issue as a priority to ensure development and discourage militancy and aggression.

“The more frustrated people are, the more aggressive they are. The present administration needs to harness resources across the country, irrespective of where such resources are deposited. We should borrow a leaf from developed countries. Government should encourage dialogue with the parties affected. For every problem, there is a solution. Force to force, as it relates to the militants, will not go a long way. Let there be peace and satisfaction for both the Avengers and the non-Avengers, that is, the rest of us.”

Bishop F.E.B. Idahosa of the Church of God Mission International, Benin City, Edo State, speaking with TribuneChurch on the visit of Professor Osinbajo, stated that “The biggest task for us as a nation is to begin talking. For a long time, there has been no dialogue and that way, the issues have not been adequately addressed. As it is said, one needs to seek first to understand, then to be understood. For any government policy to work, there has to be an understanding of the people they are dealing with, as well as the issues as they depict their pains. When that is done, we will be on our way to resolving the issues of the Niger Delta. The actions taken in recent times, with the move on the Ogoni clean-up is a step in the right direction.”

The General Overseer of Rebuilding in Holiness Bible Church and Ministries (RIHBC, Ibadan, Oyo State, Pastor John Oyedosu Oyedeji, also urged the government to do what it could to bring development to those areas ravaged by oil exploration.