Dennis Udoma and Napoleon Ehiremen
3 March 2006
Uyo/Warri — THE Niger Delta crisis took a new twist yesterday when the Itsekiri in Delta State ordered multinational oil companies operating in their land to vacate within 21 days or face grave consequences.
They warned that they will not guarantee the security of oil workers at the end of the ultimatum.
Similarly, militant Ijaw youths who released six of their nine hostages Wednesday has demanded immediate disbandment of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and withdrawal of troops from the region, as preconditions for the release of the remaining three hostages.
Elsewhere in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, most of invited foreign diplomats to the state Economic and Investment summit shun the occasion following worsening situation in the Niger Delta.
Meanwhile, Ijaw militants, who disclosed that they have never been involved in any dialogue with the government stated that it is only when a meaningful dialogue has taken place that the hostages can regain their freedom.
It would be recalled that Malcom Hawkins (Americans), Sharly Ali and Feisal Mohammed (Egyptians), Anthonio Santos (Philipino), Sonsak Mhadmho and Arak Suwanna (Thais) were released by the militant Youths on Wednesday.
However in the deadline issued by the Itsekiris under the aegist of Iwere Development Association (I D A) in Warri and signed by its president Mr. Newuwumi Omolubi they warned of a possible outbreak of fresh hostilities in the already troubled Niger Delta if their demand was not met.
It stated that the decision to eject the companies was informed by the total neglect of the region by the oil companies after years of oil exploration in the area particularly Itsekiri land which has not seen meaningful development or improvement in infrastructural development.
The IDA said that it is very painful that after many years of exploitation in the region, the Federal Government , the oil companies and even the international concerns have nothing to show for the volume of wealth so exploited.
It stated that the oil companies can no longer be trusted to give any positive development to the Itsekiri people
The group condemn the recent invasion of Okerenkoko, an Ijaw community by military operatives just because they asked for their right.
While the trio of Loydy Oswalt, Rospel Spell (Americans) and John Hudspith (Briton) are still being held.
Some of the conditions that must be met by government for the militants to embrace dialogue, Dr. Bello Oboko, who presented a paper to Governor James Ibori to be delivered to President Olusegun Obasanjo said it should "be ensured that oil companies no longer operate behind the soldiers, disband the security Joint Task Force (JTF) and demilitarize Ijaw Land," and that Niger Delta should be free of military activities which gives cover to the oil companies to commit their atrocities in the region. Other demands are: That
"For peaceful resolution of the situation, government must set up a credible government negotiating team with sufficient authority to take far-reaching decision on behalf of government."
"Any discussion with the Ijaw should take place in an acceptable place
"The Ijaw intend to chronicle their demands for consideration when and only when there is sufficient willingness on the part of government to dialogue and their negotiating team put in place."
"For lasting resolution of the situation, vendetta/reprisal/witch hunting be decidedly ruled out."
"The peace process be coordinated/facilitated by a neutral worldly recognized peace builder organization."
And "International observers be accredited and allowed to observe proceedings".
Meanwhile, the lingering crisis in the Niger Delta took its toll on the Akwa Ibom economic and investment summit, as foreign diplomats billed for the occasion stayed away.
Governor Victor Attah who disclosed this while delivering his keynote address at the summit said that some of the High Commissioners who had earlier given their consent to be at the summit, however declined to attend through e-mail messages. According to him they were unable to make it to the summit owing to the on-going crisis in the region.
Attah, who maintained that the summit marked another milestone in the life of the state said it has brought together stakeholders and economic partners to exchange ideas towards the attainment of state's economic set goals.
He stressed also that in 2005, Nigeria was one of the 15 countries in the world classified as "Anchor country" due to her role in shaping their regions, the world economy and world politics, pointing out that Alwa Ibom for this reason remained critical to the making of Nigerian as an "Anchor country.
This is given the state's location in the Gulf of Guinea as an emerging global economic player," he said.
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