Vanguard
13 October 2008
Abuja — The Niger Delta Technical Committee set up by the Federal Government to address the socio-political crisis in the region is seeking the input of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and other militant groups in its reports/recommendations to be submitted to the government at the conclusion of its assignment.
To this end, the committee plans to seat at Oporoza, Delta State for the purpose of receiving oral and written memoranda from MEND and other major militant groups operating in the region, Vanguard gathered at the weekend.
The committee yesterday invited memoranda from interest groups and individuals in all the communities in the Niger Delta.
The Niger Delta Technical Committee is a 45-member committee set up by President Umaru Yar'Adua of Nigeria on September 5, 2008 to "review and distill all previous reports on the Niger Delta and come up with appropriate recommendations on the way forward for the region." According to the special assistant to the Vice President on communications, the recommendations of the committee will "form the basis of planned discussions between the Federal Government and Niger Delta leaders towards a holistic development of the oil-rich region."
Chairman: Mr. Ledum Mitee (President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People - MOSOP) Secretary: Barr. Nkoyo Toyo ( member from Akwa Ibom State)
Members:
* Engr. Tonye Princewill - Rivers State
*Mr. Tony Uranta Rivers State
*Magnus Njei Abe - Rivers State
*Chibuzor Ugowoha - Rivers State
* Brig-Gen Cletus Emein - Delta State
*Anyakwe Nsirimovu - Abia State
* Chief Timi Alaibe -Bayelsa State
* Atei Beredugo - Bayelsa State
*Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu - Abia State
* Chief Anthony Ani - Abia State
*Dr. Abel Dafioghor - Niger Deltans in Diaspora (US)
* Ombrai Oguoko - Niger Deltans in Diaspora (UK)
* Chief E. C. Adiele -
* Chief Tony Esu -
*Hon. Nduese Essien - Cross River State
*Mrs. Grace Ekong - Cross River State
* Prof. Peter King -
*Chief Anderson Eseimokumo - Bayelsa State
* Prof. Lawrence Ekpebu - Bayelsa State
* Prof. Austin Ikein - Bayelsa State
*Dr. Youpele Banigo - Bayelsa State
* Ukandi Gabriel Ogar
* Col. Edor Obi (rtd.) - Cross River State
* Prof. Omofume Onoge - Delta State
* Prof. B. I. C. Ijeoma - Delta State
*Chief Isaac Jemide - Delta State
* Barr. Benard Jamaho
* Mr. Sam Amuka - Delta State
*Senator Stella Omu - Delta State
* Ben Bouegha
* Prof. Julius Ihonvbere - Edo State
* Admiral Peter Ebhalemen - Edo State
* Barr. Charles Edosomwan (SAN) - Edo State
* Prof. E. M. Umezurike
* Dr. Godswill Ihetu
* Barr. Cyril Anyanwu
* Dr. Sam Amadi - Rivers State
* Hon. D. I. Kekemeke - Ondo State
*Chief Olusola Oke - Ondo State
*Col. Wole Ohunayo - Ondo State
Terms of Reference:
*Collate, review and distill the various reports, suggestions and recommendations on the Niger Delta from the Willink's Commission report (1958) to the present and give a summary of the recommendation necessary for government action;
*Appraise the summary recommendations and present a detailed short, medium and long term suggestions to the challenges in the Niger Delta; and
* Make and present to the government any other recommendations that will help the Federal Government achieve sustainable development, peace, human and environmental security in the Niger Delta region.
The committee was formally inaugurated by the Vice President, Dr. Jonathan Goodluck on Monday September 8, 2008.
The Federal Government yesterday gave the newly inaugurated 45-man Technical Committee on the Niger Delta 10 days to submit its report.
Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan said the task ahead of the committee would not attract new research, field trips or lengthy debts but that the bulk of the information would be found in existing commission reports, suggestions, recommendations and position papers that might be forwarded by Nigerians to the committee.
He also said the Federal Government would not interfere with the work of the committee, but would take with all seriousness it deserve, all recommendations made to the Federal Government.
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