Stakeholders in the Niger Delta region have attributed the high level of insecurity in the area to the country’s skewed system of federalism, governmental failure and corruption.
Their position on the security situation in Nigeria’s oil rich region was based on research findings on issues of insecurity in Bayelsa State with the report presented to a select audience in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Speaking at the event which was convened by the Niger Delta Dialogue Secretariat, Co-facilitator and Executive Director of the Academic Associate Peaceworks, Dr. Jurden Asuni said with the worsening condition of insecurity in Nigeria and lesser attention been paid to happenings in the Niger Delta, there was need to commission a
research on security problems in the 6 states of the region, with a view to allow stakeholders proffer solutions.
“The security situation is deteriorating all over Nigeria. There is a lot of discussions about the north and the north-east, but I think people don’t realise how insecure the situation has become in the Niger Delta. That is why we commission 6-state
study”, Dr. Asuni said.
National Publicity Secretary of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Ken Robinson who spoke at the occasion accused the Federal Government of poor implementation of the Amnesty Programme and neglecting the recommendations of critical stakeholders on ways to create lasting peace in the region. According to him, PANDEF would stand behind the legitimate demands of ethnic groups in the region such as the Gbaramatu Ijaws and Itsekiris asking to be carried along in the oil exploitation activities taking place in their communities.
Participants at the forum also decried corruption in government which they said has denied the region of development and exclusion in the oil and gas industry. This they say is among reasons for the unrest in the region.
Earlier, members of the research team, Dr. Jack Jackson and Tokpo Coronation, both of the Federal University Otuoke had in their presentations blamed political violence, drugs, cultism and negative societal reward system as other causes of the high rate of criminality in the State.
To work on the findings of the research, a 10-member policy advocacy committee was set up with representatives of various stakeholder groups who have the responsibility of making recommendations based on the report and seeking means of ensuring its reflection in policy formulation by government.
The event drew participants from a cross section of the society including traditional rulers, security personnel, government officials as well as representatives from civil society groups and the media.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
