A militant group in oil-rich Niger Delta has said it is ready to call off its agitation and lay down its arms.

The Reformed Egbesu Boys of Niger Delta (REBND), in a letter, addressed to the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator, Amnesty Office, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, noted that it supports the unity of Nigeria, but was protesting the lack of attention for its people and communities.

The letter, which was signed by its spokespersons; Tony Alagbakereowei and Ebi Abakoromor, lamented the neglect of Peretoru community in Ekeremor, Bayelsa State, and others, despite their contribution to the nation’s economy.

While urging the Federal Government not to listen to negative impressions about agitators in Niger Delta’, it said the Federal Government should build residential buildings, roads and provide social amenities in Peretoru.

“Our reason for agitation is basically because of development. In fact, if you come to Peretoru in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, which has the largest manifold in West Africa, you will be surprised to hear that after about 47 years of exploration and production by SPDC, there’s no state or federal project. Our only means of water is the river.

“This injustice has forced us into renewed attacks on oil and gas facilities in the creeks of Niger Delta. We are ready to pull out of the creeks, surrender our arms if only the Federal Government is ready to develop our community.

“Based on the confidence the Vice-President tried to build during his fact-finding mission to our region, we recommend that the Federal Government should award a contract for the construction of 100 housing units of four bedrooms and three bedroom bungalows in Peretoru.

“We also recommend the construction of an access road from Peretoru to Ojobo, the construction of a modern hospital with laboratory, potable water, modern schools and the installation of a gas turbine, to indicate the readiness of the APC government’s developmental plan,” the group said.
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This is a good development and is commendable because no development can be achieved in an atmosphere of lawlessness and insecurity.

While you do this, the government should explore all avenue of this recent development and address all the grievances of the Niger Delta people.

There is no group that ever win an agitation by arms struggle or formation of parallel government just like in Syria,South Sudan,Somalia etc of which millions of lives and properties have been destroyed.

The people of the South East should borrow a leave from this and build alliance with other regions on how to come together and jaw-jaw instead of war-war which Ipob is trying to throw the region into.

Nigeria is bigger than any individual or group of people holding it down in the name of agitation.