Uduagha urges S’South people to support Govs
…Over threat to withdraw support from amnesty deal
From Emmanuel Ogoigbe, Warri
Monday, July 27, 2009
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The people of the South-South have been advised to support the governors of the region in their quest to withdraw from the amnesty declaration by the Federal Government, if certain conditions are not met.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan gave this advice at the weekend in Opuraja, Okpe Council area of Delta State during the traditional marriage between Former Miss Stella Oyovbaire, daughter of former Minister of information, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire and Mr. Jonah Ejanavi.

The governor explained that Federal Government needed to address the issue of post-amnesty plan as well as present a sustainable development plan for the region.
He condemned the relocation of the University of Petroleum Technology from Effurun to Kaduna and called for the retention of the institution in Delta State .

Furthermore, he said the Petroleum Industry Bill in the Senate should contain provisions like specific allocation of resources, royalties or proceeds from oil explorations that would benefit the region.
According to him, “ The governors of the South-South are calling for the support of our people to withdraw from the amnesty plan of the Federal Government, if the interest of the region is not protected.”

In a brief remark, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Thompson Okpoko, commended Governor Uduaghan and his colleagues in the South-South geo-political zone for the bold and courageous decision taken to address the issues troubling the zone.

Okpoko, a former president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), urged the people to rally round the governors to ensure that the outcome of the just concluded South-South Governors Forum, was not in vain.
He said that if it meant the people sacrificing their comfort for a period, to achieve the objective, it would be worth the effort.

His words “We commend you, our governor and your colleagues in the other Niger-Delta states for deciding to pull out from the Federal Government’s amnesty plan. We cannot agree to any Federal Government decision that is detrimental to our interest. The Niger-Delta people will give you their full support.”

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2009/july/27/national-27-07-2009-12.htm