Luka Binniyat, Tordue Salem
28 October 2008
THE House of Representatives wants to dialogue with willing militant groups in the Niger Delta and review the 13% derivation formula among other measures, as part of the strategy to troubled oil-rich region, Alhaji Abdul Ningi, ad-hoc Committee Chairman of Niger Delta Crisis of the House of Reps said yesterday.
Rep Ningi, speaking at the inauguration of the sub-committees, also said in the last eight years, Niger Delta Governors got a total N5 trillion from the Federation Account, with no tangible result to show for it.
And speaking in Yola, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ishaya Ibrahim, yesterday said the Navy was at a crossroad following an unending crisis in the Niger Delta.
At the inauguration of the ad-hoc committee, Rep Ningi said: "We do not have any law that defines community/oil producing firms relationship after 50 years of oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
"We are going to put into perspective, the critical and contending issues that require practical solutions and to provide a forum for the ventilation of ideas on the region.
"We are going to reach out to willing militant groups in the Niger Delta. We will invite them, and if they want us to come, we will go to the creeks and meet with them.
"We are going to look at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) Act ,the Land Use Act, the Pipeline Act, and the 13% derivation formula..
"We are going to decide whether the 13% derivation formula is enough or not. Even if it is sufficient, how is it applied?
"In the past eight years, about N5 trillion was paid to the states of the Niger Delta, but we are yet to see the result.
"The Niger Delta problem is no longer a local issue. It is a national and international issue.
"In the discharge of our mandate, we hope to cultivate peace by observing justice. We would not be dissuaded by the freezing apathy or dampening cynism of some of our countrymen and women," he said.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, said: "In our continuing strive to provide whatever legislative intervention is necessary to facilitate the implementation of policies for the region, the House of Reps at its Plenary Sitting of 24th July 2008 passed a resolution to set up an ad-hoc committee on the Niger Delta Crisis, following a motion on the deteriorating crisis in the region and the need to investigate the phenomena of hostage-taking, kidnapping and other forms of militant activities."
The Speaker, who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Usman Nafada, told the committee to organise public hearings and other interactive activities as well as receive memoranda from the general public.
"You are expected to explore measures to fast-track the development of the region as well as restore enduring peace. You are to review policies and programmes designed to enhance the security situation in the region as well as improve the social and economic conditions of the communities," he said
Nafada, however, could not hide his displeasure at the near empty seats reserved for the six governors of the Niger Delta, oil producing firms, the NNPC Group Managing Director, ministers, traditional chiefs from the region among others.
"We invited all the six governors of the region, but only two of them (Rivers and Abia) sent representatives," he said in anger.
"Even the NNPC GMD refused to honour this invitation," he charged. But it turned out that one General Manager of the NNPC was sent to represent the Corporation.
"How can you send a mere GM to represent a whole corporation like the NNPC," he said.
"This is the kind of behaviour that we get from government officials. It is only the Accountant-General of the Federation that has kept his respect for this House. During the Public Hearing, anyone who refuses to come and make some needed presentation, will be made to face appropriate sanctions," he said.
Also yesterday, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibrahim, speaking at the 2008 Chief of Naval Staff Annual Training Conference in Yola raised the alarm that following the unending crisis in the Niger Delta region which has led to the loss of several of its men and equipment as well as operational demands, the Navy was at a crossroad.
The Niger Delta challenge and others including roles the Navy is expected to play in the Gulf of Guinea, he said, meant that the Navy should be properly prepared for the ever-increasing security tasks assigned to it.
"Upon assumption of duty as the Chief of Naval Staff, I conducted an intensive situation audit of the state of the Nigerian Navy. From this audit, I have come to the conclusion that the Navy is at a crossroad where, despite our record of achievements in the past, we are confronted with a myriad of challenges" the CNS said, adding: "These challenges notwithstanding, I intend to address our weaknesses, exploit existing opportunities and confront threats decisively as well as build on the achievements and strengths of my predecessors."
Admiral Ibrahim said it was against this background that "I intend to run an open leadership style based on the concept of collectivism so as to stimulate initiatives and induce confidence in our officers and men. I will be fair and firm in leadership.
A leadership that shall emphasize team work. We shall encourage innovation and promote internal critical self appraisal and reassessment."
Explaining the strategy the navy under his command would employ in tackling the protection of the nation's territorial integrity by sea and the economic and maritime resources at its security disposal, Admiral Ibrahim said: "The goals will be pursued using the TRIDENT strategy-comprising three elements which form part of the country's military strategy.
"The first is sub regional sea control to defend Nigeria's national and maritime interests and to execute the national shipping policy by protecting sea lanes. The second element is coastal defence, including protection of the coastal zone's approaches and territorial waters.
Lastly, the third element is provision of adequate sea-lift and gunfire support for our sister services in amphibious and other joint operations," he said.
In his address, President Umaru Yar'Adua represented by the Minister of State for Defence, Mrs. Fidelia Njeze, said: "The reality of our contemporary political economy is that without maritime security, our aspiration for meaningful development will be adversely affected. It is for this reason that government will continue to support the Nigerian Navy as an arm of the armed forces as well as an important instrument of economic prosperity and nation building.
"The Federal Government has continually strengthened the military by providing the necessary and statutory input for its required capacity building within the limits of the nation's resources. The various necessary initiatives to enhance the state of our military preparedness include the upward review of wages and allowances thereby engendering greater motivation of armed forces personnel.
"This administration is also mindful of the needs of the Nigerian Navy to reposition itself effectively, provide security in the Niger Delta, the entire maritime environment and in the Gulf of Guinea in order to meet the emerging regional and global challenges.
Consequently, government has taken expeditious measures to acquire the much needed platforms and systems for the Navy to make good, her operational deficiencies.
"Already, government has procured four 17-meter MANTRA Class Insure Patrol Craft (IPCS) and shortly, is expecting two 38-meter Town Class Seaward Defence Boats (SDB) to add to the inventory of the Nigerian Navy. The need for increased personnel strenght and manpower development is also being pursued vigorously," the President said.
Present on the occasion were the service chiefs, former Chiefs of Naval Staff including Vice Admiral Sam Afolayan, Victor Kari Ombu, Jubril Ayinla, Allison Madueke, among others.
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