South-South leaders applaud Niger Delta Avengers for cessation of hostilities

7 years ago

South-South leaders applaud Niger Delta Avengers for cessation of hostilities

South-South leaders under the aegis of the South-South Peoples Conference (SSOPEC) on Wednesday commended Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) for cessation of hostilities in the area.
Briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, SSOPEC Chairman, Prof. Sotonye Amakiri, said the move by NDA would bring peace and revive economic activities in the area.

Amakiri said that cessation of hostilities would enable the Federal Government and the aggrieved groups to engage and seek lasting solutions to challenges confronting the Niger Delta.

“SSOPEC commends NDA for listening to the call of elders and leaders of the South-south geopolitical zone by its declaration of cessation of hostilities with the Federal Government.

“SSOPEC urges other armed and aggrieved groups in the zone to follow the good example of NDA to cease fire and dialogue with government for improved security and peace of the region.

“In the same vein, SSOPEC is pleased with the Federal Government for its willingness to open dialogue with armed and aggrieved groups in the zone.

“However, the organisation advises that the anticipated dialogue must be comprehensive, sincere and all embracing to secure enduring security and peace in the south-south geopolitical zone,” he said.

Amakiri said that violence could not be the best approach to attract government`s attention to the challenges with focus to current environmental degradation facing the region.

He reminded the militants that while they were busy attacking oil and gas installations and causing panic, other regions took advantage of the situation to fast track development of their areas.

Amakiri expressed optimism that successful dialogue between Federal Government and the aggrieved groups would end current pollution to the environment partly caused by pipeline vandalism.

According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari should consider current calls for restructuring of the country to achieve greatness.

“There is no doubt that majority of the people of the south-south geopolitical zone strongly believe in one united, indivisible and indissoluble Nigeria where no section is oppressed.

“To achieve this, Nigeria by content and practice must be changed as pretence over the years has failed to help matters,” he said.

Amakiri called on foreign and local investors to make significant investments in the region to stimulate the economy and create employment and wealth in the area.

He urged judges and magistrates to conduct themselves in the best interest of the nation, pointing out that their actions and inactions significantly affected the lives of the people.

He said the leaders, “being the mouthpiece of the people of Niger Delta”, would continue to promote democratic ideals and rule of law to ensure peaceful co-existence and development.

NAN