Ijaw Youth Concil, Western Zone Chariman, Mr Freedom Atigbi, has come out to applaud the decision of the president, to speak with the Niger Delta Avengers, in efforts to stop the attacks on oil facilities by the group. The chairman however advised that any attempt to use the military would not go well and will affect the country as a whole.
In a statement, Atigbi said the decision was necessary to save the economy of Nigeria, which is in a horrendous state, due to militant groups, whopromisejd to end oil production by attacking pipeline in the Niger Delta region, recently, and also the dwindling price of oil in the international market.
Atigbi cautioned the government to be careful and sincere with this decision it is taking, to dialogue with the militants and to engage critical stakeholders as well, in efforts to end the attack causing the oil industry harm.
Read Also:
He said, “Any attempt by government to play politics with this dialogue might only extend the evil days facing the economy, traumatised as a result of government’s inability to face the main issues confronting the region, which has been the case with successive governments, which had opened an opportunity for further agitation in the oil rig Niger Delta region.”
Atigbi also appealed to the militant group, to be welcoming to the dialogue ad the only true process to end the current hostilities in the Niger Delta region, noting that a roundtable discussing with honesty of purpose, will produce a situation where both parties win.
He said, “Therefore government should take the process seriously because much more damage had already been done to the environment through oil spills by oil companies and militants’ activities.
The current hostilities in the region cannot be separated from the age long neglect on the path of government for not addressing the principal issues such as true federalism.”
