27 October 2009
document
Niger -Delta region has over the years continued to experience growing unrest. This is as a result of some of the negative aspects of our socio-political evolution as a nation. Due to acts of omission and commission, successive governments at national state and local levels have failed to do what they ought to have done; and in some cases done what they should not have done.
It is for these lapses that some groups and individuals have resorted to armed confrontation with constituted authority. Besides, some opportunists have also taken advantages of the milieu to commit crimes against humanity and government. Unfortunately, many innocent souls have been lost while properties have been destroyed.
Losses of revenue to government as a result of these acts of lawlessness are staggering. Despite this unpleasant situation, the president in his magnanimity decided to grant amnesty to all those involved in genuine agitation. The am of Mr. President, which every well meaning Nigerian should appreciate, is to restore law and order in the troubled area and generate the enabling environment to accelerate the development of our country. It is against this background that the Presidential committee on Amnesty was set up to prepare a step-by-step framework for amnesty and complete disarmament, demobilization and re-integration in Niger Delta with appropriate time lines.
Contextual definition of amnesty
Amnesty has been defined as a legislative or executive act by which state restores those who may have been guilty of offences against it to the position of innocence. Although, the term "amnesty" is not used in the Nigerian Constitution, by Section 175 of the Constitution, the president is empowered to grant pardon to any person concerned with or convicted of any offence.
It is argued that notwithstanding the absence of the word "amnesty" in the Constitution, the President can grant reprieve that could operate as Amnesty. It should be noted that none of the militants involved in the Niger-Delta conflict has yet been convicted.
The purpose of Amnesty for these Nigerians had the promise of encouraging the combatants to voluntarily come forward and reconcile with society thus de-militarizing the region with the resultant reduction in crimes and criminality.
Convinced by the objective of the amnesty, Mr. President held a consultative meeting with the Governors of the Niger-Delta Region on 16 June, 2009 to senstise them on the intendment of the Federal Government. On the 25th of June 2009, Mr. President met the council of state as provided for in the Constitution. The outcome of that meeting was a unanimous support for Mr. President's quest for peace in the Niger-Delta Region which is in line with the 7-point agenda of the administration. Mr. President by a nationwide broadcast on 25th June 2009 proclaimed the grant of Amnesty with effect from 6th August to 4th October2009 to all militants who were willing to denounce militancy and surrender their weapons to the security forces.
Strategy to win over the militants
Having been engaged in militancy for almost a decade in the Niger-Delta Region, it was a Herculean task to persuade the militants to cease armed conflict and embrace the peace initiative of Mr. President. The militants operated in clusters with each leader claiming autonomy and superiority over others. The Nigerian experience was peculiar and had to be handled in a unique manner. The result was the massive response to the surprise of the international community and even Nigerians. As at 15 October 299, about 15,260 have accepted amnesty and various types and quantities of arms and ammunition including communication gadgets have been surrendered.
Other weapons surrendered include; bullet proof jacket, tear gas, cartridges and communication gadgets, etc.
Biometrics for the ex-militants
At the point of disarmament, the biometrics of the ex-militants are captured, through the completion of the biometric form. The date include; basic, social and historical profile of the ex-militants. The aim is to extract as much information as possible from the ex-militants.
The output of the process is a comprehensive database and the issuance of identity card to them. Recently, the Presidential Committee on Amnesty decided to upgrade the identity Card to contain smart chips and fingerprint of each ex-militant. This would make the identity card useful for other forms of registration after the Disarmament and Demobilization exercise. With this information, it is easy to categorise them.
This will enable the Presidential Committee on Amnesty to identify their skills acquisition/training needs, deploy them to the Rehabilitation Centres, pay their stipends/feeding allowances etc.
Gains of the amnesty
The amnesty which expired on 4th October 2009 has been generally acclaimed as a huge success. The Amnesty has ushered in the cessation of arms conflict and wanton destruction of lives and properties and other forms of criminality in the region. With the large number of assorted arms surrendered, a steady return to social cohesion and decency in the region is assured. Besides, there is the economic angle to this. Nigeria's oil output has increased from about 1.3million barrels per day in July to about 1.84million barrels per day as at September.
Even though Nigeria has a potential of 3 million barrels per day, that production level is achievable in the next few years if we maintain the present peace efforts. Our electricity and situation has continued to improve as well. Even the national and international image of Nigeria has improved since the grant of Amnesty in the Niger-Delta Region. As a member of the UN Security Council, speaking and working for peace all over the world is a responsibility we must be identified with among the comity of nations.
The way forward
Having successfully executed the disarmament and demobilization process of the Amnesty, the next critical stage is the Rehabilitation and Reintegration and the direct infrastructural and economic development of the Niger-Delta Region.
Rehabilitation and Reintegration Process
With the expiration of the period of Amnesty on 4th October 2009, the Amnesty Programme has entered a critical stage of implementation. This is the rehabilitation and reintegration phase which focuses on the ex-militants who have unconditionally embraced amnesty, renounced militancy and surrendered their arms.
The challenge is to ensure that they are fully resettled to prevent them from retuning to the creeks. This aspect of the amnesty involves re-orientation, rehabilitation and capacity building, training and skills acquisition. The process we are adopting is original to Nigeria.
Although our projection based on initial assessment estimated the figures of all true militants as 17,000, the number we have now is 15, 260. These figures cannot be categorical at this stage because of the upsurge in the number of ex-militants since the end of Amnesty period. Some of the groups are yet to authenticate their list. Contacts are ongoing.
There are two rehabilitation centres in Aluu, Rivers State and Agbarho, Delta state that fully ready to be occupied. Both rehabilitation centres have capacity for 3,000. in the face of accommodation problem, it is intended that the ex-militants will be rehabilitated in batches.
The rehabilitation will last for a period of about 4 weeks for each batch and will entail reorientation, counseling and moral/spiritual regeneration of the ex-militants. To regain the allegiance of the ex-militants who took arms against their nation, they would be subjected to an Oath of Allegiance and would be made to openly sign the Renunciation Form in the Rehabilitation Centres.
Training/skills Acquisition for the Ex-militants
In preparation for the training/skills acquisition of the ex-militants, a survey of the needs of the youths in the Niger-Delta Region was conducted by the Ministry of Niger-Delta Affairs. The result indicated that the youths are interested in about ten (10) sectors ranging from Oil/Gas, Maritime services, Fabrication and Welding Technology, Exploration and Production, Processing Engineering etc.
The job fair that was conducted by the MNDA showed that employment opportunities exist in some sectors like Oil/Gas, Seafaring, ICT, Maritime, Telecommunications etc. The relevant training institutions have been identified and confirmatory visits to the institutions have been undertaken. Most of the institutions are located in Nigeria to save cost and maintain our cultural values and sustain our national pride. The skills/trade available have been compiled from which the ex-militants will make a choice after counseling and proper education on the pros and cons of each trade/skills.
A standard form to be completed by the ex-militants has been jointly designed by the relevant agencies i.e NDE, NAPEP and SMEDAN to help place them appropriately. The unit cost for each skills acquisition/trade has been worked out and the final cost would depend on the number of participants in each field. At the end of the training which may last between 3-18 months, the ex-militants have the option to either seek wage employment or self-employed.
In fact, qualified and interested ex-militants could opt to go back to school and be trained up to the university level at public expense through programmes organized and administered by the Ministry of Niger-Delta Affairs. As earlier mention, the job fair conducted by the Ministry of Niger-Delta Affairs showed that employment opportunities exist in some sectors and the Presidential Committee on Amnesty could assist them in getting employment.
Loans would be sourced through micro-finance organizations for those who will like to go into business. There would be a post employment follow-up to monitor the progress and performance of the ex-militants.
Infrastructural and economic development of Niger-Delta region
That the Yar'Adua government did not create the situation in the Niger-Delta is well known, but his efforts to resolve it conclusively go further than all the attempts we are aware of in the past because it brings together a strong developmental and political strategy and one directed at the militants themselves and not only the region. It presents a menu of activities which will bring together many stakeholders including the development and international partners.
Since the Yar'Adua Government inherited the crisis in the Niger-Delta, it has adopted several strategies but has at no point reneged on a measured intensity to find a solution. Mr. President's approach is deeply informed by the need to work out a peaceful solution which is driven by a recognition of both historical and contemporary social realities. As a result, the process has provided many actors with the opportunity to ventilate and participate in finding a solution to the conflict in the Niger-Delta within a period of less than two years (a crisis of over 50 years).
One of the key strategies has been the empanelling of the Mitee Committee that proposed Amnesty for the militants as well as cessation of hostilities by all sides. In addition, it recommended that issues of mainstreaming through an enhanced amnesty, reintegration, and reconciliation program-DDR was indispensable.
While these provisions represent major initiatives of the Yar'Adua Government, other include how to address rehabilitation, development, and healing of conflict-affected areas through the work of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, NDDC and other mechanisms working for a peace-building constituency and citizens' participation in the peace process.
Ultimately, what we see today is the return of hope to the Niger-Delta region, as these peace initiatives are taking place at the national and Niger-Delta levels and in ways that recognize the need for peace-building and reconciliation activities, including special attention to economic development, access to justice, programmes that would build an integrated, coordinated and holistic strategy for peace and development at the regional level but linked to a clear commitment to drive the process.
With such a broad compass of interventions, it is important to say that the Federal Government is not leaving any area unattended to. Its belief is that the Niger-Delta problem is a Nigerian problem which has got to be addressed through home grown strategies and mechanisms. So far, this has succeeded in proving a basis for engagement and addressing the militants.
Infrastructural development of the region
In terms of infrastructural and economic development of the Niger-Delta, the Federal Government has decided on a bold strategy of embarking immediately on major projects that go beyond the budgetary capacity of State and Local Governments. In order to accelerate implementation of the development Master Plan for the Niger-Delta, the Federal Government is determined to fast track execution of the projects like:
There is also provision for direct Federal funding of oil-producing communities giving them and their leaders the right to plan and execute projects relevant to their peculiar needs and modalities are being worked out. Other development infrastructure such as Schools and Hospitals would fall under the purview of State and Local Governments in the region.
Dialogue/Continuous engagement
Furthermore, the President is committed to periodic meetings and consultations with leaders of the various communities and militant groups, to ensure they remain part of the political dialogue and stay committed to the peace process. In all these, the militant groups and Niger-Delta opinion makers will form part of the implementation sub-committees to be established with representatives of the governments of Niger-Delta States.
The oil majors
Finally, the oil companies, would now be challenged anew to review their policies and operational techniques to meet global best practices in the oil and gas industry. They can no longer continue to hide under obsolete arguments that do not meet modern standard to renege on good neighbourhood responsibilities to their host communities.
From a strategic perspective, it is apt that all stakeholders see the end of hostilities in the Niger-Delta as opening up opportunities for all players; Government (Federal, State and Local), Local Community leaders, youth and Oil Companies to re-asses their modus operandi in dealing with the fundamental challenges of the region. All operators in the Region must strive to factor in the large interests of the local community in their dealing, in a mutual beneficial way. Private sector players must remain faithful to their social responsibilities while exploring wider latitudes to enhance development in their locations of work.
Final reintegration into society
The goal of the amnesty is to achieve peace, reconciliation, re-integration, healing and sustainable development. To achieve this, all the major actors i.e the ex-militants, the communities, Community Based Organisations (CBOs), the three tiers of government and the oil majors have to be carried along. Through advocacy, we would ensure consensus, ownership and input from stakeholders. We would encourage those that have erred to return to their communities while building bridges between and among the various ex-militants groups as well as with their communities.
Conclusion
This interactive session is intended to keep the top management of the Press posted of the journey so far on the historic achievement of bringing peace to the troubled Niger-Delta Region that has eluded us for almost two decades. Nigerians must be reminded that we have a reason as a people to celebrate the outcome of this historic efforts at making peace for ourselves.
The courage displayed by the leadership of the numerous militant groups who responded to the call to duty by embracing amnesty must be commended. Without firing further shots, peace has returned to the Niger-Delta Region.
Time has come for us Nigerians to recognize our achievements, thank God profusely and celebrate same. It is your duty as leaders of the fourth estate of the realm to tell the world the positive side of the Nigerian story.
Let me at this juncture acknowledge the patience, commitment and state manly approach of Mr. President, the doggedness of the members of the Presidential Committee on Amnesty, the goodwill of the people of Nigeria and the Press and the resolve of the ex-militants to lay down their arms and return to the Nigerian family fold.
Finally, I congratulations the security agencies for their unalloyed loyalty to Mr. President, Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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