Daily Independent (Lagos)
Harris-Okon Emmanuel
13 July 2009
Former Federal Information Commissioner, Edwin Clark, has called on the Niger Delta militants to halt further assault on oil installations now that Henry Okah has been let off the hook by the government.
Apparently disturbed by the fresh attacks on the repaired Chevron's facility at Abiteye, by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Clark said with the release of Okah there is no justification for the attack.
He said MEND had always insisted on the release of Okah before it would agree to the amnesty offer by the Federal Government, stressing that the time for confrontation is over and now is the time for dialogue on how best to step up the development of the Niger Delta based on justice and equity.
MEND, he stressed, must agree to the dialogue offer while the Joint Task Force must leave Gbaramatu Kingdom to allow displaced persons return to their homes and live a normal life, adding that "the release of Okah is the beginning of peace in the Niger Delta."
The Ijaw national leader commended President Umaru Yar'Adua for listening to the voice of reason, noting that Okah did not commit any offence in the country to warrant his arrest.
He also commended the MEND leader for accepting the amnesty offer by the Federal Government and that he could now go to any country of his choice for his medical treatment.
He said the release of the militant leader should be properly addressed if the amnesty being granted is unconditional.
He, however, regretted that the amnesty committee headed by the Internal Affairs Minister, General Godwin Abbey (rtd) is yet to contact Okah despite Yar'Adua's directive.
He recalled that the court had earlier directed that Okah be given immediate medical attention outside the country for his failing kidney and other health problems but the government could not to carry out the court order on the pretext that no country is prepared to accept him for treatment.
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