Ikechukwu Nnodim, Abuja

Traditional rulers and stakeholders from the Niger Delta on Thursday met the Federal Government and read out terms that would build confidence as well as restore peace in the region.

This follows the ceasefire announced by the Niger Delta Avengers and other militant groups in the region on August 21, 2016.

In a statement, which was read at the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in Abuja by the Bolowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Wellington Okirika, the traditional rulers listed six things the Federal Government should do in order to build confidence and stop the destruction of the country’s oil assets by militants in the region.

They said, “Having acceded to the call for a ceasefire by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, on August 4, 2016, the buck has now been passed to the table of the Federal Government as driven by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources – a representative of the Federal Government.

“For the purposes of building confidence in the system, we wish to state here that as a matter of urgency the Federal Government should appoint/constitute a Federal Government dialogue team; release the 10 innocent school children arrested by the Nigerian Army on the 28th of May, 2016 in Oporoza and others in detention on trumped up charges.

“Return the Golden Sword, being the symbol of authority in the Gbaramatu traditional institution; return the three traditional council speed boats in custody of the Nigerian Army; cessation of hostilities perpetrated by the military in the Niger Delta region; and equally important, the Federal Government should make a categorical statement about the opening of the Maritime University, Okerenkoko Delta State for academic activities in the 2016/2017 session.”

MadamExcellency:
These conditions are just for Ijaw ethnic nationality alone and not encompassing.

What about displaced people of Bakassi? Anything for them to hold as a confidence building measure?

seunmsg:


We all know you are more concerned about Kanu's IPOB and Biafra, just tell the Ijaw traditional rulers to help you negotiate the release of Kanu instead of hiding behind displaced people of Bakassi.

fiizznation:
This monarchs should be arrested by security agencies for hiding a renowned criminal called tompolo and that minister for petroleum that initiated this silly dialogue with economy terrorists should be sacked. The FG shouldn't negotiate with any silly group. Give them fire and brimstone and watch how the avengers or whatever they call themselves fall on their knees.

fiizznation:
This monarchs should be arrested by security agencies for hiding a renowned criminal called tompolo and that minister for petroleum that initiated this silly dialogue with economy terrorists should be sacked. The FG shouldn't negotiate with any silly group. Give them fire and brimstone and watch how the avengers or whatever they call themselves fall on their knees.

fiizznation:
This monarchs should be arrested by security agencies for hiding a renowned criminal called tompolo and that minister for petroleum that initiated this silly dialogue with economy terrorists should be sacked. The FG shouldn't negotiate with any silly group. Give them fire and brimstone and watch how the avengers or whatever they call themselves fall on their knees.

seunmsg:


We all know you are more concerned about Kanu's IPOB and Biafra, just tell the Ijaw traditional rulers to help you negotiate the release of Kanu instead of hiding behind displaced people of Bakassi.

fiizznation:
This monarchs should be arrested by security agencies for hiding a renowned criminal called tompolo and that minister for petroleum that initiated this silly dialogue with economy terrorists should be sacked. The FG shouldn't negotiate with any silly group. Give them fire and brimstone and watch how the avengers or whatever they call themselves fall on their knees.

emosix:
These are very reasonable and realistic conditions which I think the FG should take advantage of.

Keneking:
Nonsense meeting:

1. We wish to state here that as a matter of urgency the Federal Government should appoint/constitute a Federal Government dialogue team

- Not possible for now. Only when Dangote refinery is up and running.Can we renegotiate the 13% derivation you earn?

2. Release the 10 innocent school children arrested by the Nigerian Army on the 28th of May, 2016 in Oporoza and others in detention on trumped up charges.

- They shall be charged to court by the AGF. When are you handing over the rest that vandalised the pipelines recently for prosecution?

3. Return the Golden Sword, being the symbol of authority in the Gbaramatu traditional institution.

- This is not recognised by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. What does the sword represent? What kingdom is Gbaramatu? Why does it deserve special status - when we have Lagos, Onitsha, Port Harcourt and Kano unrecognised?

4. Return the three traditional council speed boats in custody of the Nigerian Army;

- License has to be given by the Ministry of Transportation (Chibuike Amaechi to advice). What is the business of speed boats on inland waterways? Is it a fishing boat? Is for bunkering?

5. Cessation of hostilities perpetrated by the military in the Niger Delta region.

- Lt Gen Buratai to debrief in October 2016, after de-escalation of tension in the region post Independence day celebration. Not possible now.

6. The Federal Government should make a categorical statement about the opening of the Maritime University, Okerenkoko Delta State for academic activities in the 2016/2017 session.”

- Your son Chibuike Amaechi & Minister of Education to brief Cabinet at FEC in November after admissions into universities/montechnics for this session must have ended. Not possible for now.

Nonsense meeting and useless demands

Hopeless situation