THE Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has called on the Nigeria and United States of America Bi-National Commission on Niger Delta Peace Process to investigate the sources of arms and ammunition surrendered by the repentant Niger Delta ex-militants during the amnesty programme.

Akpabio stated this on Friday when the Commission led by Amb. Bola Kuku, visited him at the government house, Uyo.

The governor explained that it was not just enough for the Federal Government to ignore the sources of arms surrendered by the ex-militants, but a full scale investigation should be carried out in order to prevent the proliferation of other small arms into the country especially in South-East and South-South.

Akpabio said, ”Nigeria should go beyond just collecting the arms to finding out where the arms come from. All the bombs that were returned when the militants laid down their arms should be investigated. The arms have manufacturing dates and countries of manufacture.

”Niger Delta is enmeshed in kidnapping and we must help in fighting the menace. Cross-border crime is getting out of hand and this should also be addressed.”

The governor said globally countries like Mexico topped the list of hostage taking followed by USA, adding that Nigeria had also witnessed a few cases of kidnapping recently.

He stressed that there was need for the body to co-operate in fighting the cross border crime, saying Abia State had been the kidnappers‘ haven.

While commending the late President Umaru Yar‘Adua, for tackling the problem of the Niger Delta through the amnesty programme, Akpabio charged the commission to assist in the implementation of the initiatives to reduce the high rate of militancy and to bring about sustainable development in the region.

He added, ”Niger Delta is not just a topical but a necessary issue. For over 45 years, Nigeria has relied on the region for crude oil which has led its mono-economy status. Yet, the region is the most neglected.

”In many places in the world, development moves from oil producing areas to the urban centres but in Nigeria, development moves from Abuja and Lagos while leaving the Niger Delta region out.”

Responding, Kuku said the pact for the formation of the commission was signed on April 4, 2010, between Nigeria and the United States of Amercia to provide development and regional security.

The body, he added, was designed to lift relations between the countries and to particularly assist Nigeria in ensuring transparency during the 2011 general elections, promote peace and provide infrastructure in the Niger Delta.



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